Five South Africa-Based Nigerians Face Up To 100 Years In US Jail
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 five men are scheduled to appear before United States District Judge Michael Shipp at the Trenton federal court, according to a statement issued by the United States Department of Justice on Monday.
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.
The 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 Department of Justice, the defendants were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy over 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 were additionally charged with aggravated identity theft.
Frazer alleged that 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”, adding that the defendants allegedly held leadership positions in its Cape Town Zone in South Africa.
According to the prosecutor, Perry Osagiede founded the Cape Town Zone and served as its zonal head, while the other defendants allegedly participated in various fraud schemes with other members.
“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 defendants used social media, online dating platforms and Voice over Internet Protocol phone numbers to identify and communicate with victims in the United States while operating under different aliases.
Frazer further alleged that victims were deceived into believing they were in romantic relationships with the suspects before being persuaded to send money and other valuables overseas, including to South Africa.
He also alleged that the suspects sometimes threatened victims with the distribution of sensitive photographs when they hesitated to send money.
According to the prosecutor, the group also allegedly used US-based bank accounts belonging to victims and other individuals to transfer funds to South Africa.
Frazer said the defendants allegedly laundered 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.
According to the Department of Justice, 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 in prison 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 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.
It, however, stressed that the charges contained in the superseding indictment were allegations and that the defendants remained 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.