Five Alleged Black Axe Leaders Extradited to the US

Five people whom authorities consider leaders of the cybercriminal syndicate Black Axe have been extradited to the United States. Perry Osagiede, Franklin Osagiede, Osariemen Clement, Collins Otughwor, and Musa Mudashiru will stand trial on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

According to the prosecution, from 2011 to 2021 the defendants coordinated a large-scale fraud campaign out of Cape Town. They relied on “advance-fee” schemes and so-called romance scams: using a host of fictitious names, the perpetrators met victims in the US through social networks and dating sites, communicated via VoIP numbers, and — having convinced their targets that they were in a romantic relationship — swindled them out of money.

If a victim refused to pay, they were coerced with threats — including the promise to publish their explicit photos online. FBI Special Agent Stephanie Roddy described Black Axe as a violent transnational criminal organization that “moonlights” in romance scams.

A Long Road to Trial

The suspects were detained in South Africa back in 2021 at the request of the US, but were extradited only on September 11, 2026. If they are found guilty, each faces up to 20 years for fraud, up to 20 years for money laundering, and another two years for aggravated identity theft.

The arrests fit into a string of international operations against African cybercriminal groups. Last month, as part of Operation Jackal IV, law enforcement from 22 countries detained 58 people and identified 263 suspects linked to networks coordinated by Black Axe. Separately, authorities in Spain arrested 34 alleged members of a network tied to the group.

What Black Axe Is

The organization was founded in Nigeria in 1977 and today is considered one of the most dangerous and far-reaching cybercriminal syndicates in the world. It is estimated to have around 30,000 registered members, along with an extensive network of “money mules” and intermediaries. In January 2024, a US court sentenced Black Axe member Olugbenga Lawal to ten years in prison for laundering millions of dollars stolen from elderly Americans.

Source: Bleeping Computer