Six Nigerian nationals accused of defrauding more than 100 women in the United States of more than R100 million through online love scams are being extradited from South Africa to face charges in the US.
The six men, who are allegedly members of the Black Axe organised criminal network, were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a major takedown operation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the extradition was being facilitated by the Hawks in collaboration with INTERPOL South Africa.
The suspects are wanted by US authorities on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
Mogale said the alleged victims included pensioners and businesspeople who were targeted through sophisticated online relationships before being defrauded of their money.
The six suspects will 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 US Secret Service.
US law enforcement officials arrived in South Africa on Friday morning ahead of the formal handover, which is expected to take place this afternoon.
Mogale said the extradition demonstrates the continued cooperation between South African law enforcement agencies and international partners in tackling transnational organised crime.
The suspects will now face the US justice system over the alleged fraud and money-laundering offences.
