WESTERN CAPE – Six Nigerian nationals have been extradited to the United States to face charges related to a sophisticated online love scam that allegedly defrauded more than 100 women of over R100 million. The extradition was facilitated yesterday through a joint operational collaboration between the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, and INTERPOL South Africa.
According to official statements from the Hawks and INTERPOL South Africa, the extradited suspects are Perry Osagiede, Collins Owhofsa Otughwor, Osariemen Eric Clement, Musa Mudashiri, Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark. US authorities allege that the men are members of the Black Axe organized criminal network and are wanted on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
The suspects are accused of executing complex online romance scams, specifically targeting vulnerable demographics in the United States, including pensioners and businesspeople, to illicitly extract funds.
The six individuals are part of a larger group of eight Nigerian nationals originally arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a major takedown operation led by the Hawks. The full list of the eight originally arrested includes Perry Osagiede, Enorense Izevbiege, Franklin Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, Musa Mudashiru, Toriseju Gabriel Otubu, and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark.
In February 2024, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court formally ruled that the alleged network members could be extradited to the United States. Legal proceedings diverged for two of the original eight suspects: Enorense Izevbiege and Toriseju Gabriel Otubu did not proceed with their appeals. Izevbiege was subsequently extradited to the US, while Otubu was granted bail of R210,000 under specific conditions.
INTERPOL South Africa coordinated the logistical transfer of the six recently extradited suspects. They were transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport. Upon arrival, they were formally handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service before embarking on a 16-hour flight to the United States.
Law enforcement authorities emphasized that this successful extradition underscores the continued, robust cooperation between South African law enforcement agencies and international partners. The collaboration remains focused on disrupting transnational organized crime and ensuring that suspects wanted in foreign jurisdictions are held accountable and face due legal process.
