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 of up to 100 years in prison if convicted on the conspiracy charges against them.
The five men were scheduled to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at the Trenton federal court, according to a statement issued on Monday by the United States Department of Justice.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Friday that the suspects were extradited from South Africa to the US over allegations that they defrauded American women of more than $6m through online romance scams. They were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of US authorities.
In the latest statement, 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.
The defendants were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy over activities allegedly 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.
According to Frazer, the five defendants were leaders of Black Axe, which he described as an organisation headquartered in Benin City, Nigeria, with operations in several countries.
He said the organisation was structured into regional chapters known as “zones” and that the defendants were leaders within its Cape Town Zone in South Africa.
Frazer alleged that Perry Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone and served as its zonal head, adding that the defendants and other members allegedly discussed and participated in various fraud 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,” he said.
According to the attorney, the suspects allegedly used social media and online dating platforms, as well as Voice over Internet Protocol phone numbers, to identify and communicate with victims in the US while operating under different aliases.
He alleged that victims were deceived into believing they were in romantic relationships with the suspects and subsequently sent money and other valuables overseas, including to South Africa.
Frazer further alleged that the conspirators sometimes threatened victims with the distribution of sensitive photographs when they hesitated to send money. He also alleged that the group used US-based bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals to transfer funds to South Africa.
The attorney said the defendants also allegedly laundered proceeds from business email compromise schemes, romance scams and advance-fee fraud through aliases and business entities designed to conceal the source of the funds.
According to the DOJ, each of the wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, while the money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
The department added that aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison term, which must run consecutively to any other term imposed on a defendant.
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.
It, however, stressed that the charges in the superseding indictment were only allegations and that the defendants were presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“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.
Source: punchng.com
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