Hawks and Interpol Extradite Six Nigerians to United States Over Alleged R100 Million Romance Scams
- The Hawks and Interpol facilitated the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States on 11 September 2026
- The six men are alleged members of the Black Axe organised criminal network, arrested in South Africa in 2021
- South Africans weighed in on the extradition, with many questioning why the suspects were in the country in the first place
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
WESTERN CAPE - The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, moved on Friday to extradite six Nigerian nationals to the United States in a joint operation with Interpol.
The six men are alleged to be members of the Black Axe organised criminal network and face charges of wire fraud and money laundering in the United States. They were first arrested in South Africa in 2021 following a major Hawks takedown operation.
Black Axe members accused of targeting over 100 women
US authorities allege that the six suspects ran sophisticated online romance schemes, defrauding more than 100 women of over R100 million. Among the victims were pensioners and business people who were lured into fraudulent relationships before being swindled out of their money.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale confirmed the logistics of the handover, stating it would be conducted on Friday, 11 September 2026.
"Through the coordination of Interpol South Africa, the six will be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport, where they will be handed over to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service, who arrived in South Africa this morning," Mogale noted.
How did South Africans react?
South Africans on social media responded with a mixture of concern and frustration.
Ian Crafford asked:
"Why were they in South Africa?"
Sbahle Shozi wrote:
"It may seem as if SA is harbouring criminals of late. So many foreign criminals have been extradited in SA this year alone."
Moreshka Lebona noted:
"If you commit crimes against American citizens or interests, you can expect the FBI to pursue the matter aggressively. Once they get involved, political connections or influence may not be enough to protect you from accountability."
Obakeng Molefe questioned:
"Of all the countries in the world, they chose to come to South Africa."
Tee Nondzaba Mbeksie wrote:
"South Africa, where does it enter? Or the scam was performed behind SA computers... hayi bayasifaka sheym."
Other stories about Nigerians in the US
- A Nigerian man documented his deportation from the US after spending 10 months in ICE detention.
- The US Department of Homeland Security published the names and photos of five well-known Nigerian cyber fraudsters.
- The United States added 10 more Nigerians to its ‘Worst of the Worst’ register over alleged criminal offences.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
