From Marcus Nkire
Five Nigerians living in South Africa have been transferred to the United States to face federal prosecution over alleged involvement in wire fraud and money laundering schemes.
The United States Department of Justice said the men were extradited on September 11, 2026, four years after their arrest in Cape Town following a request from US authorities.
The defendants are Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38.
They are expected to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at the federal court in Trenton.
US prosecutors allege that the five men were involved in fraudulent operations spanning a decade, from 2011 to 2021.
The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money. Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement are also facing separate wire-fraud charges, while Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor have been charged with aggravated identity theft.
According to US Attorney Robert Frazer, the defendants were alleged leaders of Black Axe and were associated with the organisation’s Cape Town Zone.
Prosecutors claim the group conducted internet-based fraud targeting people in the United States. Social media, dating platforms and internet-based telephone services were allegedly used to establish contact with victims while members operated under different identities.
American women were allegedly deceived into believing they had developed romantic relationships with the suspects before being persuaded to send money and other valuables overseas, including to South Africa.
Prosecutors further allege that some victims faced threats involving the exposure of private photographs after refusing or hesitating to make additional payments.
The indictment also accuses the defendants of using US bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals to facilitate the movement of funds to South Africa.
US authorities said the alleged financial operations extended beyond romance fraud, with proceeds from business email compromise and advance-fee schemes also allegedly being processed through aliases and business entities designed to obscure the source of the money.
If convicted, the defendants could face lengthy prison terms under the charges filed against them.
The DOJ said each wire-fraud conspiracy or wire-fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
The money-laundering conspiracy count also carries a possible 20-year prison sentence, alongside a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is higher.
Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
However, the potential penalties do not amount to convictions. The Justice Department stressed that the case remains before the court and that the allegations in the superseding indictment have yet to be proven.
All five defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
