Five Nigerians living in South Africa who were extradited to the United States on September 11 for alleged wire fraud and money laundering could face up to 100 years in prison if convicted on the conspiracy charges.
The five men were set to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court, according to a statement issued by the US Department of Justice on Monday.
Chronicle NG reported on Friday that the accused were extradited from South Africa to the United States on charges of defrauding American women out of more than $6 million through online romance scams. They were arrested in Cape Town in 2021 on 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.
A superseding indictment accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money for crimes claimed to have occurred between 2011 and 2021.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, and Clement are also facing individual wire fraud charges, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, and Otughwor have been charged with aggravated identity theft.
According to Frazer, the five Nigerians were leaders of Black Axe, an organization based in Benin City, Nigeria, with operations in various countries.
He stated that the organization was divided into regional chapters known as “zones” and that the accused Nigerians were leaders in the Cape Town Zone in South Africa.
Frazer claimed that Perry Osagiede established the Cape Town Zone and served as its zonal leader and that the defendants and other members discussed and participated in 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,” he said.
According to the attorney, the suspects used social media, online dating sites, and Voice over Internet Protocol phone numbers to identify and interact with victims in the United States while using various aliases.
He claimed that victims were duped into believing they were romantically involved with the accused and then sent money and other assets overseas, especially to South Africa.
Frazer further claimed that the conspirators threatened victims with the disclosure of sensitive images when they refused to submit money. He further claimed that the gang transferred funds to South Africa through US-based bank accounts owned by victims and others.
According to the counsel, the defendants reportedly laundered money from business email compromise schemes, romance scams, and advance-fee fraud using aliases and corporate companies to mask the source of the funds.
According to the DOJ, 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, whereas the money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is higher.
The government also stated that aggravated identity theft carries a required two-year jail sentence, which must run concurrently with any other term imposed on the defendant.
According to the DOJ, the five defendants were arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the request of US officials and will be extradited to the United States on September 11, 2026.
It, however, emphasized 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.
