Many of the alleged victims are believed to be widows and divorcees
WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eight Nigerian men accused of an internet dating scam have been charged in a South African court after a massive international operation involving the FBI and Interpol.
Authorities in the US, where the investigation originated and most of the alleged victims are based, have applied for their extradition.
They are accused of defrauding more than 100 victims of almost $7m in total over the past decade.
It is the biggest such bust in South Africa, according to police spokeswoman Col Katlego Mogale in PRETORIA.
The suspects, aged between 33 and 52, were arrested in Cape Town on Tuesday following a legal assistance request from the US.
It is believed the FBI and US Secret Service led the investigation and worked with South African authorities, including the elite police unit, the Hawks.
The men are wanted in Texas and New Jersey for a variety of offences, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money-laundering and aggravated identity theft.
In opposing bail, prosecutor Robin Lewis alleged the men are members of the Black Axe, a transnational organised crime syndicate originating in Nigeria, whose specialities include laundering money through various accounts.
The suspects face 20 years in jail if convicted.
It is alleged they preyed on their victims through dating sites using false identities. The victims, often vulnerable widows or divorcees from around the world, thought they were in genuine romantic relationships.
Col Mogale said once the suspects “had ingratiated themselves with their victims, they allegedly concocted sob-stories about why they needed money – ie taxes to release an inheritance, essential overseas travel, crippling debt, etc – and then siphoned money from victims”.
“The fraudsters intimidated and berated their victims, ruined their lives and then disappeared,” she said.
South Africa’s TimeLive reported the Hawks were searching for a ninth man connected to the case. — NNN-AGENCIES