Six Nigerians Accused of Romance Scams Extradited to the U.S.

Fri Sep 11 2026 15:10:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

South Africa’s Hawks unit handed six Nigerians over $100m in online romance scams to the FBI, highlighting a global crackdown on digital crime.

South African police looted six Nigerians from a Black Axe crime network accused of scamming more than 100 U.S. women. They’ll be flown to Washington to face wire‑fraud and money‑laundering charges. The extradition underlines the worldwide fight against romance‑based online fraud that targets vulnerable seniors and business owners. It marks a key moment in efforts to bring cyber‑criminals to justice across borders.

Six Nigerians accused of romance scams will be extradited to the U.S. next Friday.

South African police’s Hawks unit arrested the men in 2021 and, after a lengthy investigation, are handing them over to the FBI for charges of wire‑fraud and money‑laundering. The group is linked to the Black Axe crime syndicate, noted for its links to human trafficking, internet fraud and violence.

Victims ranged from pensioners to businesspeople, all lured through staged online relationships. Overall, the alleged schemes stole more than 100 million rand ($6 million). The extradition, coming from a correctional facility in Cape Town, is part of a broader global effort to bring romance‑scam tactics to justice.

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