Six Nigerian men accused of defrauding more than 100 women in the US of more than R100 million through online romance scams are set to be extradited from South Africa.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, made the announcement on Friday morning.
Hawks National spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the unit, in collaboration with INTERPOL South Africa, will on Friday afternoon facilitate the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States.
Mogale said six men are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network and are wanted by US authorities in connection with charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
“The suspects are alleged to have targeted more than 100 women in the United States, allegedly defrauding them of more than R100 million through online romance or love scams.”
She said among the alleged victims were pensioners and businesspeople who were reportedly targeted through sophisticated online relationships used to defraud them of their money.
“The six Nigerian nationals were arrested in South Africa in 2021, following a major takedown operation conducted by the Hawks/DPCI.”
Mogale said that, through the coordination of INTERPOL South Africa, the six will on Friday be transported 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 United States Secret Service, who arrived in South Africa this morning.
“The formal handover is expected to take place this afternoon.”
Mogale said she will facilitate media interviews and provide further information on the operation.
“This extradition demonstrates the continued cooperation between South African law enforcement agencies and international law enforcement partners in disrupting transnational organised crime and ensuring that suspects wanted in other jurisdictions face due legal process,” she added.
