Six Nigerians extradited from South Africa to US over alleged romance scams
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineSouth Africa has extradited six Nigerian nationals to the United States over allegations that they defrauded more than 100 women through online romance scams.
The suspects, who were arrested in South Africa in 2021, are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) disclosed the development in a post on X on Friday, saying the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, worked with INTERPOL South Africa to facilitate the extradition.
SAPS said: “The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the #Hawks, in collaboration with #INTERPOL South Africa, will today facilitate the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States of America.”
The suspects were wanted by US authorities over allegations of wire fraud and money laundering.
According to SAPS, the six allegedly defrauded their victims of more than R100 million through online romance or love scams.
The Hawks said the suspects were handed over to officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service at Cape Town International Airport on Friday.
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Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said: “Through the coordination of INTERPOL South Africa, the six will today be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they will be handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service.”
Mogale said the extradition underscored cooperation between South African and international law enforcement agencies in the fight against transnational organised crime.
He said: “This extradition demonstrates the continued cooperation between South African law enforcement agencies and international law enforcement partners in disrupting transnational organised crime and ensuring that suspects wanted in other jurisdictions face due legal process.”
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