South Africa to extradite six Nigerians to US over $6.2m romance scam
South Africa will hand over six Nigerian nationals to the United States this Friday (September 13, 2026) after arresting them in 2021 for allegedly running a romance scam that stole more than $6.2 million from over 100 victims, mostly pensioners and businesspeople in the US. The suspects are said to belong to the organised cybercrime group Black Axe and face charges of wire fraud and money laundering, according to South Africa’s Hawks. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the fraudsters built fake identities on dating sites and social media to develop relationships before asking for money. The men will be transferred to FBI and US Secret Service officials at Cape Town International Airport.
This case highlights how romance scams have become a major transnational threat, with Nigerians often implicated in overseas fraud networks. For anyone using online dating or social media, it underscores the need to verify identities, avoid sending money to people you haven’t met in person, and report suspicious requests to local authorities or the EFCC. Awareness and caution remain the best defence against such fraud.