Extradition of Nigerian Nationals in Romance Scam Case
On September 11, 2026, six Nigerian nationals connected to a criminal network are scheduled for extradition to the United States from South Africa. These individuals stand accused of defrauding American women of more than $6 million through online romance scams.
Authorities in South Africa arrested the men in Cape Town in 2021. They will be transferred to U.S. officials, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Interpol identifies their group, the Black Axe, as participatory in global cyber-enabled financial fraud, particularly through romance, cryptocurrency, and investment scams.
This action follows the extradition of a notable Black Axe leader to the U.S. about two years prior. That individual faced similar internet scams and money laundering accusations. South African police report that these six men swindled over $6 million from more than 100 American women, focusing on pensioners and businesspeople with intricate online relationships.
Today, Interpol South Africa will coordinate the transfer of these men from a Cape Town correctional facility to Cape Town International Airport. There, they will be delivered to FBI and United States Secret Service officials who have freshly arrived in South Africa.
In a broader operation last month, Interpol arrested 58 suspects and flagged 263 individuals across various criminal groups linked to similar crimes. The campaign’s objectives included disrupting money laundering, pinpointing high-value targets, asset seizure, and aiding arrests and prosecutions.
In a separate South African operation, authorities raided seven Johannesburg sites tied to schemes targeting English-speaking retirees. This resulted in 39 arrests, the seizure of $2.67 million, and the freezing of over 250 bank accounts.
Romance scams are a growing concern. In 2023, such scams affected over 64,000 Americans, leading to losses of upwards of $1 billion. This is double the $500 million reported four years earlier, as per the Federal Trade Commission. A CBS News investigation in 2024 also highlighted a romance scam operation in Ghana. A syndicate leader in Ghana, known as Voodu, indicated Americans as prime targets.