By Jimmy Fatunbi
Five Nigerians based in South Africa who were extradited to the United States on September 11 over alleged wire fraud and money-laundering offences could face a combined maximum sentence of up to 100 years in prison if convicted.
The defendants are expected to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at the federal court in Trenton, according to a statement issued on Monday by the United States Department of Justice.
The suspects were extradited following allegations that they defrauded American women of more than $6 million through online romance scams. They were initially arrested in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of US authorities.
US Attorney Robert Frazer identified the defendants as Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38.
According to the superseding indictment, the defendants are accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with activities allegedly carried out between 2011 and 2021.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement also face individual wire-fraud charges, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor have additionally been charged with aggravated identity theft.
Frazer alleged that the five men were leaders of Black Axe, which he described as an organisation headquartered in Benin City, Nigeria, with operations across several countries.
He said the organisation operates through regional chapters known as “zones” and alleged that the defendants held leadership positions within its Cape Town Zone.
According to the US attorney, Perry Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone and served as its zonal head. He alleged that the defendants and other members participated in and discussed various fraudulent schemes.
“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.
He alleged that the suspects used social media platforms, online dating sites and Voice over Internet Protocol telephone numbers to identify and communicate with victims in the United States while operating under various aliases.
The victims were allegedly deceived into believing that they were engaged in romantic relationships with the defendants and were subsequently persuaded to send money and other valuables overseas, including to South Africa.
Frazer further alleged that, in some cases, victims were threatened with the release of sensitive photographs when they hesitated to send money. He also accused the group of using US-based bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals to transfer proceeds to South Africa.
The defendants were also accused of laundering 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.
The US Department of Justice said 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.
Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The DOJ said the five defendants were arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the request of US authorities and extradited to the United States on September 11, 2026.
However, the department emphasised that the charges contained in the superseding indictment remain allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
“The charges and allegations contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” Frazer said.
