By Dan Mughogho — September 13, 2026
Six Nigerian nationals have been extradited from Cape Town, South Africa, to the United States to face wire fraud and money laundering charges linked to an alleged online romance scam.
The six men were extradited on September 11, 2026, through a joint operation involving South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, and INTERPOL South Africa.
The suspects are accused of defrauding more than 100 women in the United States of more than R100 million through online relationships.
Six Nigerian Nationals Extradited to the US
The six Nigerian nationals are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network.
They have been identified as:
- Perry Osagiede
- Collins Owhofasa Otughwor
- Osariemen Eric Clement
- Musa Mudashiru
- Franklyn Edosa Osagiede
- Prince Ibeabuchi Mark
The men are wanted by US authorities in connection with alleged wire fraud and money laundering offences.
The charges relate to an alleged romance scam in which victims were reportedly approached through online relationships before being defrauded of their money.
Suspects Accused of Romance Scam
According to the allegations, more than 100 American women were targeted through sophisticated online relationships.
Some of the alleged victims were pensioners and businesspeople who reportedly lost money after being drawn into the schemes.
The suspects have not been convicted of the charges. The allegations will be considered through the US legal process.
The extradition follows a major investigation into an alleged criminal network operating across international borders.
Arrests Took Place in South Africa in 2021
The six men were among eight Nigerian nationals arrested in South Africa in 2021 during a major Hawks and DPCI operation.
The eight individuals were identified as:
- Perry Osagiede
- Enorense Izevbiege
- Franklin Edosa Osagiede
- Osariemen Eric Clement
- Collins Owhofasa Otughwor
- Musa Mudashiru
- Toriseju Gabriel Otubu
- Prince Ibeabuchi Mark
In February 2024, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court ruled that the alleged members could be extradited to the United States.
However, Izevbiege and Otubu did not proceed with their appeals.
Izevbiege was later extradited to the US, while Otubu was granted R210,000 bail under certain conditions.
Hawks and INTERPOL Facilitate Extradition
Through coordination between INTERPOL South Africa and the Hawks, the six suspects were transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport.
They were then handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service.
The suspects subsequently boarded a 16-hour flight to the United States, where they are expected to face the wire fraud and money laundering charges.
The case highlights the international cooperation being used to investigate alleged online financial scams and organised criminal networks.
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