Five Alleged Black Axe Members Extradited to U.S. to Face Fraud Charges
Summary
Five alleged Black Axe members were extradited from South Africa to face U.S. wire fraud and money laundering charges over romance scams prosecutors say targeted more than 100 victims from 2011 to 2021.
Key points
- The five men were arrested in South Africa in 2021 and extradited to the U.S. on September 11; they are due to appear in court in New Jersey.
- A 2021 indictment accuses them of running romance scams from 2011 to 2021 that stole thousands of dollars from more than 100 people.
- Prosecutors say the group used aliases, dating sites, and social media to contact victims and persuade them to send money.
- The Justice Department says victims who refused payment were sometimes threatened with the release of sensitive photographs.
- Prosecutors allege that proceeds were laundered through South African companies and victim bank accounts, and traced some funds to business email compromises.
- The defendants face wire fraud and money laundering charges; the allegations have not been established at trial.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Extradition and U.S. criminal prosecution of five alleged Black Axe members
- Impact
- The five face wire fraud and money laundering charges over alleged romance scams conducted from 2011 to 2021. Prosecutors say the scams targeted more than 100 victims and stole thousands of dollars; some laundered funds were also traced to business email compromises.
People
Collins Owhofasa OtughworOne of the five alleged Black Axe members extradited from South Africa to face U.S. charges.Franklyn Edosa OsagiedeOne of the five alleged Black Axe members extradited from South Africa to face U.S. charges.Musa MudashiruOne of the five alleged Black Axe members extradited from South Africa to face U.S. charges.Osariemen Eric ClementOne of the five alleged Black Axe members extradited from South Africa to face U.S. charges.Perry OsagiedeProsecutors allege he founded the Cape Town chapter of Black Axe and led its efforts to scam U.S. residents.Stefanie RoddySpecial agent in charge at the FBI’s Newark office; commented on Black Axe and urged potential victims to come forward.
Threat Actors
Countries
NigeriaAll of the men are originally from Nigeria but ran the Cape Town branch of the Black Axe cybercriminal gang, which has been a focus of international law enforcement efforts for more than five years.South Africacourt after extradition from South Africa, facing wire fraud and money laundering charges tied to romance scams that targeted more than 100 victims.