Hawks And Interpol Facilitate Extradition Of Six Nigerian Nationals Wanted In USA Over R100 Million Online Love Scam

The Hawks and INTERPOL South Africa are facilitating the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States of America over alleged wire fraud and money laundering. The six men are allegedly linked to the Black Axe organised criminal network and are accused of defrauding more than 100 women through online romance scams.

The suspects allegedly targeted women in the US, including pensioners and businesspeople, using sophisticated online relationships to defraud them of more than R100 million. The six Nigerian nationals were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a major takedown operation conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

Through coordination by INTERPOL South Africa, the suspects will be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport. They will then be handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service, who arrived in South Africa on Friday morning.

The formal handover is expected to take place this afternoon, with Colonel Katlego Mogale facilitating media interviews and providing further information. The extradition highlights cooperation between South African and international law enforcement agencies in addressing transnational organised crime and ensuring suspects wanted abroad face due legal process.