US Indicts Nigerian and Eight Others in Large-Scale Money Laundering Bust
Nine members of a transnational criminal organization, including eight Nigerians, have been charged in the U.S. for their roles in internet scams and money laundering operations.
These individuals, reportedly linked to the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (also known as “Black Axe”), operated from Cape Town, South Africa.
Their schemes, running from 2011 to 2021, included romance scams, advance-fee fraud, and business email compromise scams.
The suspects targeted U.S. citizens through social media and online dating platforms, posing under various aliases to deceive victims.
They coerced victims into sending money or opening financial accounts, later used to launder the illicit funds.
Authorities highlighted the use of manipulative tactics, such as threatening to release sensitive personal information to extort payments.
U.S. officials collaborated with South African authorities to arrest seven of the accused, who are awaiting extradition.
The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison for each count.