6 Nigerian nationals linked to the Black Axe network were extradited from Cape Town to the US to face wire fraud and money laundering charges over an alleged R100 million romance scam targeting more than 100 American women.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the #Hawks, in collaboration with #INTERPOL South Africa on 11 September 2026, facilitated the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States of America.
The six men, Perry Osagiede, Collins Owhofsa Otughwor, Osariemen Eric Clement, Musa Mudashiri, Franklyn Edosa Osagiede and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark, are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network and are wanted by the 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.
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 were part of eight Nigerian nationals, Perry Osagiede, Enorense Izevbiege, Franklin Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, Musa Mudashiru, Toriseju Gabriel Otubu, and Prince Ibeabuchi Mark, who were arrested in South Africa in 2021, following a major takedown operation conducted by the Hawks/DPCI.
In February 2024, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court formally ruled that the alleged members could be extradited to the US.
However, Izevbiege and Otubu did not proceed with their appeals.
Izevbiege was extradited to the US, and Otubu was granted R210 000 bail with conditions.
Through the coordination of INTERPOL South Africa, the six were transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they were handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service, and embarked on a 16-hour flight to the United States.
