Six Nigerian nationals to be extradited to US over alleged R100m online love scams

Six Nigerian nationals wanted in the United States for alleged wire fraud and money laundering are set to be extradited from South Africa on Friday.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, is working with INTERPOL South Africa to facilitate the extradition of the six men to the US.

The suspects are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network.

According to the Hawks, the men allegedly targeted more than 100 women in the US through sophisticated online romance scams, defrauding their victims of more than R100 million.

Among those allegedly targeted were pensioners and businesspeople who were reportedly lured into online relationships before being defrauded of their money.

The six suspects were arrested in South Africa in 2021 during a major takedown operation conducted by the Hawks.

INTERPOL South Africa is coordinating their transfer 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 (FBI) and the US Secret Service.

The US law enforcement officials arrived in South Africa on Friday morning, with the formal handover expected to take place this afternoon.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale is expected to facilitate media interviews and provide further information about the operation.

The extradition highlights continued cooperation between South African and international law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational organised crime.

The suspects will now face the US justice system over the allegations against them.