CAPE TOWN — Six Nigerian men arrested in South Africa over an alleged international romance scam are set to be extradited to the United States to face charges relating to the alleged defrauding of more than 100 victims of over $6 million.

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The suspects, who are allegedly linked to the organised criminal group known as Black Axe, were arrested in South Africa in 2021 during a major crackdown on the network.

South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks, said the suspects are wanted by United States authorities over alleged offences including wire fraud and money laundering.

According to the Hawks, the six men allegedly targeted more than 100 women in the United States through online romance and love scams.

The suspects are accused of defrauding their victims of more than R100 million, estimated at about $6.2 million.

Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said some of the alleged victims were pensioners and businesspeople who were targeted through sophisticated online relationships.

“Among the alleged victims were pensioners and businesspeople who were reportedly targeted through sophisticated online relationships used to defraud them of their money,” Mogale said.

The police spokesperson said the suspects would be handed over to officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Secret Service at Cape Town International Airport on Friday.

The extradition is expected to pave the way for the suspects to face proceedings before US authorities over the alleged financial crimes.

Romance scams have become a major form of transnational cybercrime, with fraudsters often creating fake identities on dating platforms and social media to establish relationships with unsuspecting victims.

After gaining the trust of their targets, the criminals allegedly manipulate them into transferring money under various false pretences, including emergencies, medical expenses, investments or other fabricated financial needs.

South African authorities said the arrests formed part of wider efforts to disrupt organised cybercrime networks operating across international borders.

The case also highlights the growing cooperation between law enforcement agencies in different countries in investigating alleged online financial crimes and bringing suspects before the courts.

The six Nigerians remain suspects in the alleged offences and will have the opportunity to respond to the charges through the US judicial process.