Six Nigerian men accused of taking part in an alleged international romance scam have been handed over to US authorities after being extradited from South Africa.
The suspects are accused of using online relationships to defraud more than 100 women in the United States, according to South African law enforcement authorities.
They were arrested in South Africa in 2021 and have remained subject to legal proceedings linked to the US extradition request.
The South African Police Service announced the extradition on Friday, saying the operation was coordinated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, together with INTERPOL South Africa.
Police said American authorities wanted the suspects in connection with alleged wire fraud and money laundering offences.
The six men are also alleged to have links to the Black Axe organised criminal network, according to South African police.
Following the completion of the extradition process, the suspects were taken from a correctional facility in Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport.
At the airport, they were handed over to representatives of the FBI and the United States Secret Service.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the transfer was coordinated through INTERPOL South Africa to ensure the suspects were formally delivered to the American law enforcement agencies.
The case demonstrates how investigations into online scams can extend across national borders, particularly when alleged victims and suspects are located in different countries.
With the suspects now in US custody, they are expected to face the allegations through the American justice system.
As with any criminal allegation, the suspects remain entitled to due process and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
