Five alleged leaders of the Black Axe cybercrime syndicate, known for its involvement in global-scale cyber-enabled financial fraud, have been extradited to the United States to face wire fraud and money laundering charges.
Prosecutors accuse Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Osariemen Clement, Collins Otughwor, and Musa Mudashiru of coordinating an internet fraud campaign from Cape Town from 2011 to 2021 that involved advance fee schemes and romance scams.
The five accomplices allegedly used multiple aliases, social media and online dating websites, and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone numbers to talk to victims in the United States and trick them into sending money after making them believe they were in a romantic relationship.
When their targets refused to send them money, they coerced them into making the payments using various manipulation tactics, including threats of publishing sensitive photos of the victim online.
“Black Axe is a notoriously violent transnational criminal organization that also happens to dabble in romance scams to make money,” FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy said.
“The ability of FBI Newark and our partner agencies to reach into South Africa illustrates our resolve to hold accountable any and every type of fraudster who preys on innocent victims here in the United States.”
The defendants were arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the United States’ request and extradited to the United States on September 11, 2026.
If found guilty, they face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charges, a maximum of 20 years for money laundering, and two more years for aggravated identity theft charges.
Last month, law enforcement agencies from 22 countries arrested 58 individuals and identified 263 suspects linked to cybercrime networks coordinated by African crime groups as part of “Operation Jackal IV,” an international joint action focused on disrupting the Black Axe criminal ring.
Spanish authorities also arrested 34 cyber fraud suspects believed to be part of a criminal network connected to the Black Axe group.
Founded in 1977 in Nigeria, Black Axe is one of the world’s most dangerous and far-reaching cybercrime syndicates, believed to have an extensive network of money mules and facilitators, as well as 30,000 registered members.
In January 2024, the United States sentenced Black Axe member Olugbenga Lawal to ten years in prison for laundering millions stolen by Black Axe operators from elderly Americans in internet fraud schemes.
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