Six Nigerians, members of the Black Axe organized criminal group, have been extradited to the US as they were allegedly involved in defrauding over 100 American women out of over $6 million via online romance scams.
The arrest of these individuals occurred in 2021 in Cape Town, and then the extradition of the six men took place to officials from the FBI and US Secret Service at Cape Town International Airport on September 11. In the US, they will be charged with wire fraud and money laundering.
According to South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also called Hawks, the alleged victims of these crimes include pensioners and businessmen who were contacted through sophisticated online relationships. The identity of the suspects is not made public by South African authorities.
The Structure of Alleged Romance Scam
As explained by US officials and investigations of earlier scams linked to Black Axe, the romance scams usually involve the creation of trust between scammers and victims prior to the request for any money transfer or access to the victims’ bank accounts.
Regarding the scams related to the six suspects, the alleged scammers were using social media and other internet communication channels while maintaining their anonymity.
One of the scams is based on an online romance with a partner who claims he is in Cape Town for construction projects and needs money, phones, computers, or help because he was robbed or experienced some additional expenses.
Other stories involve the request of money to fix construction equipment or pay taxes before he receives a bigger sum.
What Is Black Axe?
Black Axe is an organised crime group originating in Nigeria and known for its involvement in cybercrime in several countries.
Interpol has named Black Axe one of the organised crime groups involved in various types of cyber-enabled frauds such as romance scams, cryptocurrency scams, and investment scams.
This network has been a subject of international interest over the years. There have been instances where people associated with the group have been charged in the US for internet fraud and money laundering.
One of the Black Axe leaders was extradited to the US in 2024 on charges of internet fraud and money laundering.
Why South Africa Is Important to This Case
It is noteworthy that the recent extradition reflects the international dimension of the crime being investigated.
In fact, the six suspects were apprehended in Cape Town in 2021. But the people who suffered from the alleged crimes resided in the US, and funds were transferred abroad via international financial institutions.
That is why the investigation required investigators from several states.
This extradition was organized by Interpol South Africa, the Hawks, the FBI, and the US Secret Service. The South African officials said that the operation reflects ongoing cooperation to counter transnational organized crime.
Black Axe is Now Under an International Offensive
The arrest was made in the wake of the broader international efforts at curbing the organized crime groups from West Africa operating online.
Interpol stated that the operation, which ran from November 2025 to June 2026, resulted in the arrest of 58 individuals and the identification of 263 suspects associated with organized crime networks. In South Africa, the police carried out raids on seven different sites involved in romance and investment scams, resulting in the arrest of 39 individuals and the freezing of over 250 bank accounts.
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