FIVE alleged members of the Black Axe cybercrime organisation are due to make their first court appearance on Monday after being extradited from South Africa. US prosecutors unsealed a 2021 indictment charging Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor and Musa Mudashiru with wire fraud and money laundering.
According to the indictment, the men allegedly operated the Cape Town branch of Black Axe and conducted romance scams between 2011 and 2021. The scams reportedly defrauded more than 100 people of thousands of dollars. All five defendants are originally from Nigeria. The charges are allegations, and the supplied report does not state that any of the men has been convicted.