Members of ‘Black Axe’ cybercriminal group extradited from South Africa
Five Black Axe members extradited from South Africa face US wire fraud and money laundering charges over romance scams defrauding more than 100 victims.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor and Musa Mudashiru, leaders of Black Axe's Cape Town branch, were extradited September 11 and appear before a federal judge in Trenton, New Jersey under a 2021 indictment. They ran romance scams from 2011 to 2021 that stole thousands of dollars from over 100 people, threatening to leak sensitive photos and laundering proceeds through South African companies; some funds also traced to business email compromise. Wire fraud and money laundering charges each carry up to 20 years. Treasury estimates $12.7 billion stolen from Americans since 2023 via overseas romance and investment scams.
- Five Black Axe leaders extradited from South Africa, first court appearance Monday
- Romance scams from 2011-2021 defrauded over 100 US victims
- Charges carry maximum 20-year sentences each
- Interpol arrested 58 Black Axe-linked suspects across 22 countries two weeks prior
- Treasury cites $12.7 billion lost to overseas romance and investment scams since 2023
From the original article
2 min read at therecord.mediaProsecutors unsealed a 2021 indictment accusing the five men of conducting lucrative romance scams that stole thousands of dollars from more than 100 people.
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