Five Nigerians based in South Africa could face a combined maximum of up to 100 years in prison in the United States if convicted of conspiracy and other fraud-related charges.
The men were extradited from South Africa to the US on September 11, 2026, following allegations that they defrauded American victims of more than $6m through romance scams and other online fraud schemes.
According to the United States Department of Justice, the defendants are Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38.
They were scheduled to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at the federal court in Trenton, New Jersey.
The defendants are facing charges in a superseding indictment relating to alleged activities between 2011 and 2021. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement are also charged individually with wire fraud, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor face additional aggravated identity theft charges.
US Attorney Robert Frazer alleged that the five men were leaders of Black Axe, which he described as an organisation based in Benin City, Nigeria, with operations in several countries. He said the group operated through regional chapters known as zones, with the defendants allegedly holding leadership positions in its Cape Town Zone.
According to Frazer, the group allegedly carried out romance scams and advance-fee fraud from Cape Town, targeting victims in the United States.
The defendants and other alleged conspirators reportedly used social media, dating platforms and Voice over Internet Protocol phone numbers to contact victims while using false identities.
Investigators allege that some victims were persuaded to believe they were in romantic relationships with the suspects before being asked to send money or valuables overseas, including to South Africa.
Frazer also alleged that members of the group sometimes threatened victims with the release of sensitive photographs when they refused or delayed sending money.
The indictment further alleges that the conspirators moved money through US bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals before transferring the funds to South Africa.
US authorities also accused the defendants of laundering proceeds from business email compromise schemes, romance scams and advance-fee fraud through aliases and business entities intended to conceal the source of the money.
Under US law, each wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The money laundering conspiracy charge also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, with a possible fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The five men were arrested in South Africa in 2021 following requests from US authorities and remained there during the extradition process.
The US Department of Justice stressed that the charges are allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
