Five Black Axe Leaders Extradited to US Over Romance Scams

Five Nigerian nationals, alleged leaders of the Black Axe criminal organization's Cape Town zone, have been extradited from South Africa to the United States to face federal charges for a decade-long romance scam and money laundering operation. The defendants appeared in a New Jersey federal court on September 14, four days after their extradition. The U.S. Department of Justice identified the extradited individuals as Perry Osagiede, 57, who founded the Cape Town zone; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38. They were flown to the United States on September 11. The superseding indictment alleges the group operated from Cape Town between 2011 and 2021, using social media, dating sites, and Voice over Internet Protocol numbers to contact victims in the United States under various aliases. Prosecutors say the conspirators used scripts often involving a person traveling to South Africa for work who needed money after unforeseen events, frequently at a construction site or involving a crane. Victims who believed they were in romantic relationships sent money and goods overseas.