South African police on Friday handed over six Nigerians wanted in the United States for allegedly running online romance scams to FBI agents, authorities said.
The suspects, arrested in 2021, are accused of targeting more than 100 women in the US and defrauding them of over 100 million rand ($6m; £5m).
They are believed to be members of Black Axe, a Nigerian mafia-style gang linked to human trafficking, internet fraud, and murder.
According to South Africa’s elite Hawks police unit, some victims included pensioners and businesspeople who were targeted through sophisticated online relationships.
The group was transported from a Cape Town correctional facility to the airport, where they were handed over to FBI and US Secret Service officials. They will face wire fraud and money-laundering charges upon arrival in the US.
Black Axe is a shadowy criminal network known for extreme violence, operating across Africa, Europe, and North America.
A 2021 BBC Eye investigation described it as one of the world’s most dangerous organised crime groups. Nigeria remains its main recruitment ground, with many members university-educated and inducted during their schooling.
The FBI has charged more than 35 individuals in connection with Black Axe since 2019.
Last month, Interpol reported that raids in South Africa between November 2025 and June 2026 led to 39 arrests and the blocking of over 250 bank accounts linked to romance and investment scams.
Source : bbc
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