Six Nigerian nationals wanted in the United States for allegedly defrauding more than 100 women of more than R100 million through online romance scams have been extradited from South Africa.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the men were extradited to the US at around 18:00 on Friday.
“They have left South Africa. They were extradited from South Africa to the US,” Mogale said.
He added that the Hawks facilitated the extradition in collaboration with Interpol South Africa.
The six men are wanted by US authorities in connection with wire fraud and money laundering charges.
Mogale said the suspects were allegedly part of the Black Axe organised criminal network and had targeted more than 100 women in the United States, reportedly defrauding them of more than R100 million through online romance or “love” scams.
“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,” Mogale 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 men were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a major takedown operation by the Hawks. They were held at a correctional facility in Cape Town pending Friday night’s extradition.
Earlier on Friday, the Hawks said the suspects would be transported from the correctional facility to Cape Town International Airport, where they were due to be handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Secret Service.
Mogale said the US officials arrived in South Africa on Friday morning to facilitate the handover.
“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,” Mogale said.
