Five Nigerians based in South Africa could face a combined maximum sentence of up to 100 years in prison in the United States if convicted over alleged wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies.
The men were extradited from South Africa to the US on September 11, 2026, after being arrested in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of American authorities.
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 Trenton federal court.
The five men were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy over alleged activities spanning 2011 to 2021.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement also face individual wire fraud charges, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor were additionally charged with aggravated identity theft.
US Attorney Robert Frazer alleged that the defendants were leaders of Black Axe, which he described as an organisation headquartered in Benin City, Nigeria, with operations across several countries.
According to Frazer, the organisation operates through regional chapters known as zones, with the defendants allegedly holding leadership positions in its Cape Town Zone.
He alleged that Perry Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone and served as its zonal head.
“From at least 2011 through 2021, the Black Axe defendants and other conspirators worked together from Cape Town to engage in widespread internet fraud involving romance scams and advance-fee schemes,” Frazer said.
The US authorities alleged that the suspects used social media, online dating platforms and Voice over Internet Protocol phone numbers to identify and communicate with victims in the US while using different aliases.
Victims were allegedly deceived into believing they were in romantic relationships with the suspects before being persuaded to send money and other valuables overseas, including to South Africa.
Frazer further alleged that some victims were threatened with the release of sensitive photographs when they hesitated to send money.
The defendants were also accused of using US-based bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals to transfer funds to South Africa.
The DOJ said the alleged conspirators also laundered proceeds from business email compromise schemes, romance scams and advance-fee fraud through aliases and business entities allegedly created to conceal the source of the funds.
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 fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
The DOJ said aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The US Department of Justice stressed that the charges remain allegations and that the five defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
