Five Nigerian nationals linked to the Cape Town Zone of the Neo Black Movement of Africa are staring at a combined maximum of 100 years behind bars after being extradited from South Africa to the United States over wire fraud and money laundering charges.
The men appeared before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in a Trenton federal courtroom, New Jersey, for their initial hearing and arraignment at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer confirmed the development in a statement released by the Department of Justice on Monday.
Those named in the superseding indictment are Perry Osagiede (also known by aliases including “Lord Sutan Abubakar de 1st,” “Rob Nicolella,” and “Alan Salomon”), 57; Franklyn Edosa Osagiede (alias “Lord Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela,” among others), 42; Osariemen Eric Clement (alias “Lord Adekunle Ajasi”), 40; Collins Owhofasa Otughwor (alias “Lord Jesse Makoko”), 42; and Musa Mudashiru (alias “Lord Oba Akenzua”), 38. All five are Nigerian-born and face charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy covering activities between 2011 and 2021.
Beyond the conspiracy charges, Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, and Clement face separate wire fraud counts, while Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, and Otughwor are additionally charged with aggravated identity theft.
Frazer said members of the group had operated under the mistaken belief that hiding behind electronic devices, thousands of miles from the U.S., would shield them from American law enforcement. He stressed that their extradition proved otherwise, noting that his office and its partners would continue tracking down transnational criminal networks targeting Americans, regardless of where those networks are based.
FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy described Black Axe as a violent transnational criminal organization that also engages in romance scams as a revenue stream. She said the Bureau’s ability to reach into South Africa through its partner agencies underscored its determination to hold all categories of fraudsters accountable for preying on victims in the U.S., and encouraged anyone who has been defrauded to come forward and report to authorities to help curb the group’s activities.
U.S. Secret Service Newark Field Office Special Agent in Charge Craig Marech said the case was the product of years of coordinated investigative work between his agency and other law enforcement partners aimed at identifying and prosecuting those behind sophisticated online fraud and money laundering operations. He added that the outcome demonstrated the strength of international cooperation and served as a warning that the Secret Service and its partners would pursue offenders targeting American victims no matter where in the world they operate.
Court filings and statements presented during proceedings indicate that Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Clement, Otughwor, and Mudashiru all held leadership positions within the Neo Black Movement of Africa’s Cape Town Zone, with Perry Osagiede identified as the founder and zonal head of the chapter.
Investigators say the defendants and other members of the group actively participated in and discussed fraud schemes among themselves. According to the findings, the group ran a widespread internet fraud operation from Cape Town between 2011 and 2021, centered on romance scams and advance-fee schemes.
A common tactic involved fabricated stories about someone traveling to South Africa for work who then claimed to need money or valuables after a supposed accident, frequently tied to a construction site or crane-related incident. The group used dating platforms, social media, and internet-based phone numbers to locate and communicate with American victims, operating under multiple fake identities throughout.
Victims believed they were in genuine romantic relationships and, upon request, sent money or valuables abroad, including to South Africa. In cases where victims hesitated, the group reportedly resorted to coercion, including threats to leak private photos of the victims.
Funds were moved using the bank accounts of victims as well as other U.S.-based account holders. In some instances, victims were persuaded to open new financial accounts that the group then accessed and controlled directly.
Aside from laundering proceeds from romance and advance-fee scams, the conspirators also handled funds obtained through business email compromise schemes, using both aliases and shell business entities to mask the illicit origins of the money.
Each wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud count carries a maximum 20-year prison term and a fine of up to $250,000. The money laundering conspiracy charge similarly carries a maximum 20-year sentence, with fines reaching $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is higher. The aggravated identity theft charges attract a mandatory two-year term, to be served consecutively to any other sentence handed down.
The five were first arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the request of U.S. authorities and were formally extradited to the United States on September 11, 2026.
Attorney Frazer credited the investigation to FBI special agents under Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark and Law Enforcement Attaché Mark F. Grimm at the FBI’s office within the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria; U.S. Secret Service agents under Special Agent in Charge Craig Marech in Newark and Special Agent in Charge Todd Bratz of the Service’s Criminal Investigative Division; and the Secret Service’s Pretoria Resident Office.
He further acknowledged support from South Africa’s Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS), the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority and Asset Forfeiture Unit, the country’s Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and Interpol.
The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard.