CAPE TOWN - Six Nigerians wanted in the United States over an alleged online romance scam are set to be extradited from South Africa on Friday afternoon.
The suspects are accused of targeting more than 100 women across the United States and allegedly defrauding them of more than R100-million.
According to the Hawks, the alleged victims include pensioners and businesspeople who were targeted through sophisticated online relationships.
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Investigators allege that members of the ‘Black Axe’ organised crime group used these relationships to gain the victims’ trust before allegedly stealing their money.
The six suspects were arrested in South Africa in 2021 as part of a major takedown operation targeting the alleged criminal network.
They have remained in South Africa while extradition proceedings were under way.
The suspects are expected to be handed over to agents from the FBI and US Secret Service, who arrived in South Africa this morning to facilitate the extradition.
They will face the US justice system over allegations linked to the international online romance scam.