Romance scam: Six Nigerians defraud 100 American women of over N8bn

•Extradited to United States from South Africa
•Senators, Reps move against S’Africa over xenophobic attacks
•Suspend official visits, legislative engagements •Urge 36 state legislators to follow suit

Six Nigerians accused of defrauding more than 100 women in the United States of about $6 million (over N8 billion) through online romance scams were reportedly extradited from South Africa to the United States on Friday to face trial.

The extradition comes amid growing diplomatic tension between Nigeria and South Africa, with Nigeria’s National Assembly announcing the suspension of all official visits to South Africa over recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals.

South African authorities said the six Nigerians, arrested in 2021, were believed to be members of Black Axe, an organised crime syndicate linked to internet fraud and other criminal activities.

According to the BBC, South Africa’s elite Hawks police unit said the suspects allegedly targeted more than 100 women in the United States and defrauded their victims of more than 100 million rand, equivalent to about $6 million.

Among those allegedly targeted were pensioners and businesspeople who were drawn into sophisticated fake online relationships before being defrauded.

Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said the suspects would be transported from a correctional facility in Cape Town to the airport on Friday (yesterday) and handed over to officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service.

They are expected to face wire fraud and money-laundering charges upon arrival in the United States.

Black Axe has been under the radar of international law enforcement agencies for years, with operations against suspected members conducted across Africa, Europe and North America.

The FBI launched operations against the group in November 2019 and September 2021, leading to charges against more than 35 individuals over alleged multimillion-dollar internet fraud.

Interpol has also coordinated operations in several countries targeting suspected members of the network.

In its latest operation, conducted between November 2025 and June 2026, Interpol said seven locations in South Africa linked to a syndicate involved in romance and investment scams were raided.

The operation reportedly led to 39 arrests, seizure of money and the blocking of more than 250 bank accounts.

Meanwhile, the extradition is taking place at a time of heightened tension between Nigeria and South Africa over alleged xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

The leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly on Friday resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities until further notice.

The decision followed concerns over recurring reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals resident in South Africa.

Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, who disclosed the development in a statement made available to Parliamentary Correspondents in Abuja, said the resolution followed consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

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Ogunlana said the National Assembly leadership was particularly concerned by reports of Nigerians being killed, injured, displaced and forced to abandon their businesses, investments, homes and other properties as a result of recurring attacks.

He quoted the leadership as saying: “The Leadership of the National Assembly has expressed grave concern over the continuing reports of xenophobic attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals resident in the Republic of South Africa.”

The leadership said it was particularly worried about reports of Nigerians losing their lives, sustaining injuries and suffering economic losses as a result of attacks allegedly linked to xenophobic sentiments.

It noted that many Nigerians had established legitimate businesses and investments in South Africa over the years, stressing that the safety and protection of citizens abroad remained a matter of serious national concern.

The National Assembly expressed concern that despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures, reports of xenophobic incidents had persisted.

“The Leadership notes with concern that, despite repeated appeals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to the South African authorities to take decisive measures to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic violence to justice, reports of such incidents have continued to emerge,” Ogunlana said.

He said the National Assembly leadership acknowledged interventions by the Federal Government and other stakeholders, including efforts to assist affected Nigerians and facilitate the evacuation of Nigerian nationals from South Africa.

According to him, the decision to suspend official engagements with South African legislative authorities followed careful consideration of the developments and their implications for the welfare of Nigerians resident in the country.

The resolution covers official visits to South Africa by the National Assembly, its committees, lawmakers, officials and staff, as well as participation in conferences, seminars, workshops and parliamentary meetings organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

The boycott will also cover legislative exchanges and other activities organised by South African authorities, including physical and virtual participation in South African-hosted legislative programmes.

“In view of these developments and following consultations between the Leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the National Assembly has resolved to suspend all official visits to the Republic of South Africa and to boycott South African-hosted or South African-organised legislative activities and engagements until further notice,” Ogunlana said.

The leadership consequently directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate the resolution to all senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.

The National Assembly, however, stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine the longstanding historical, diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa, but was a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in the country.

It called on the South African government to take “urgent and concrete measures” to protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.

The National Assembly leadership also urged the 36 State Houses of Assembly to consider similar measures in solidarity with Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, saying it would continue to monitor developments concerning the safety and welfare of Nigerians in South Africa.

Ogunlana said the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice and would be reviewed by the National Assembly leadership as circumstances warranted.