Five Nigerian nationals living in South Africa have been extradited to the United States to face federal charges over alleged wire fraud and money laundering, with the defendants potentially facing a combined maximum of up to 100 years in prison if convicted.
The five men were extradited from South Africa to the US on September 11, 2026, following their arrests in Cape Town in 2021 at the request of American authorities. They were scheduled to appear before US District Judge Michael Shipp at a federal court in Trenton, New Jersey.
The defendants were identified by US Attorney Robert Frazer as Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38.
According to the US Department of Justice, the five men were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering over alleged activities spanning 2011 to 2021.
Three of the defendants — Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement — also face individual wire fraud charges, while Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor were additionally charged with aggravated identity theft.
US prosecutors allege that the defendants were leaders of the Cape Town Zone of the Black Axe organisation and participated in internet fraud schemes targeting victims in the United States.
The prosecution further alleged that the group used social media, online dating platforms and internet-based telephone numbers to contact victims, with some victims allegedly being deceived into believing they were in romantic relationships with the suspects.
The US authorities said the alleged schemes involved romance scams and advance-fee fraud and resulted in American victims losing more than $6 million. Prosecutors also alleged that money obtained through the schemes was transferred to South Africa and concealed through various accounts, aliases and business entities.
In some instances, prosecutors alleged that victims who resisted further payments were threatened with the release of sensitive photographs.
The potential penalties are substantial. The US Department of Justice said the wire fraud conspiracy and individual wire fraud charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the money laundering conspiracy charge also carries a maximum of 20 years.
The aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory additional **two-year prison term which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The combined maximum exposure from the conspiracy charges could therefore reach 100 years for the five defendants, although the actual sentences, if there are convictions, would depend on the outcome of the case and applicable sentencing rules.
The US Justice Department stressed that the charges remain allegations and that all five defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
