5 extradited to NJ in alleged romance scam operation run from South Africa
Prosecutors say the men helped carry out romance scams and other schemes targeting U.S. victims from 2011 through 2021.
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Five men prosecutors say were leaders of Black Axe's Cape Town Zone in South Africa have been extradited to New Jersey to face federal charges stemming from alleged romance scams and other internet fraud schemes targeting victims in the United States.
Perry Osagiede, 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 42; Osariemen Eric Clement, 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 42; and Musa Mudashiru, 38, are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Prosecutors say the five worked with other conspirators from at least 2011 through 2021 to carry out internet fraud schemes from South Africa.
The alleged schemes frequently involved stories about someone traveling to South Africa for work and encountering unexpected problems requiring money, sometimes involving a construction site or problems with a crane.
In romance scams, prosecutors say victims were led to believe they were in relationships with people who then asked them to send money or other valuables overseas. When some victims hesitated to send money, conspirators allegedly threatened to distribute sensitive photographs of them.
Prosecutors also allege conspirators used U.S.-based financial accounts to transfer money to South Africa and sometimes persuaded victims to open accounts the conspirators could use. They also allegedly laundered proceeds from advance fee schemes and business email compromises.
Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Clement also face wire fraud charges. Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede and Otughwor also face aggravated identity theft charges.
The five were arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the request of the United States and extradited Sept. 11. They were scheduled to appear Monday in federal court in Trenton.
