Five Alleged Black Axe Leaders Extradited to U.S. to Face Fraud Charges
Summary
Five alleged Black Axe leaders were extradited from South Africa to the U.S. to face charges over an alleged 2011–2021 fraud scheme using romance scams, advance-fee fraud, and threats to extract payments.
Key points
- Prosecutors allege the five coordinated an internet fraud scheme from Cape Town between 2011 and 2021.
- The alleged methods included romance scams, advance-fee fraud, aliases, social media, dating sites, and VoIP calls.
- Prosecutors say victims were pressured to pay, including through threats to publish sensitive photos.
- The defendants face wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft charges; the article says the potential prison terms total up to 42 years.
- The five were arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the U.S.'s request and extradited on September 11, 2026.
- Operation Jackal IV involved arrests in 22 countries, while Spanish authorities separately arrested 34 suspects believed linked to a Black Axe-connected network.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Five alleged Black Axe leaders were extradited from South Africa to the United States to face wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft charges.
- Impact
- Prosecutors allege that the defendants coordinated romance scams and advance-fee fraud targeting U.S. victims from Cape Town between 2011 and 2021, using aliases, social media, online dating websites, and VoIP calls to obtain payments. Victims were also allegedly threatened with the publication of sensitive photos. The article reports charges and allegations, not convictions.
People
Collins Owhofasa OtughworOne of the five alleged Black Axe leaders extradited to the United States and charged in the alleged fraud scheme.Franklyn OsagiedeOne of the five alleged Black Axe leaders extradited to the United States and charged in the alleged fraud scheme.Musa MudashiruOne of the five alleged Black Axe leaders extradited to the United States and charged in the alleged fraud scheme.Olugbenga LawalThe article reports that this Black Axe member was sentenced in the United States in January 2024 for laundering money stolen in internet fraud schemes.Osariemen ClementOne of the five alleged Black Axe leaders extradited to the United States and charged in the alleged fraud scheme.Perry OsagiedeOne of the five alleged Black Axe leaders extradited to the United States and charged in the alleged fraud scheme.Stefanie RoddyFBI Newark Special Agent in Charge quoted commenting on Black Axe and the investigation.
Threat Actors
Countries
NigeriaFounded in 1977 in Nigeria, Black Axe is one of the world’s most dangerous and far-reaching cybercrime syndicates, believed to have an extensive network of money mules and facilitators, as well as 30,000 registeredSouth Africa“The ability of FBI Newark and our partner agencies to reach into South Africa illustrates our resolve to hold accountable any and every type of fraudster who preys on innocent victims here in the United States.”United StatesFive alleged leaders of the Black Axe cybercrime syndicate have been extradited to the United States to face wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft charges tied to a decade-long internet fraud