Six Nigerians face US trial over alleged $5m online romance fraud

Six Nigerian men accused of running online romance scams that defrauded more than 100 women in the United States have been extradited from South Africa, according to The Guardian. The suspects, arrested in South Africa in 2021, allegedly built online relationships with victims, including pensioners and businesspeople, before obtaining money from them.

South African authorities said the men face US charges of wire fraud and money laundering, with losses estimated above R100 million. The extradition was coordinated by South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, working with Interpol. The suspects, also alleged members of the Black Axe network, were flown from Cape Town to US custody, where FBI and Secret Service officials received them. Officials called it a sign of international cooperation against organised crime.