LmCast :: Stay tuned in

Suspected Black Axe gang leaders face cybercrime charges in the US

Recorded: Sept. 15, 2026, 2:46 p.m.

Original Summarized

Suspected Black Axe gang leaders face cybercrime charges in the US

News

Featured
Latest

Hackers hijack HBO Max Reddit account to push malware in ClickFix ads

Homebrew 7.0.0 gets built-in GUI, better security controls

Dutch NCSC: Critical Check Point VPN flaws exploitation is imminent

New Android malware encrypts files, steals data, and harasses victims

Hackers target WordPress sites via third-party WooCommerce plugin

What Zero-Day Response Should Be in the Post-Mythos Era

CISA: Critical VMware RCE flaw now exploited by ransomware gangs

This lifetime stock-picking subscription is $68.99 (reg. $486)

Tutorials

Latest
Popular

How to access the Dark Web using the Tor Browser

How to enable Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection in Windows 11

How to use the Windows Registry Editor

How to backup and restore the Windows Registry

How to start Windows in Safe Mode

How to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm, or other Malware

How to show hidden files in Windows 7

How to see hidden files in Windows

Webinars
Downloads

Latest
Most Downloaded

Qualys BrowserCheck

STOPDecrypter

AuroraDecrypter

FilesLockerDecrypter

AdwCleaner

ComboFix

RKill

Junkware Removal Tool

Deals

Categories

eLearning

IT Certification Courses

Gear + Gadgets

Security

VPNs

Popular

Best VPNs

How to change IP address

Access the dark web safely

Best VPN for YouTube

Forums
More

Virus Removal Guides
Startup Database
Uninstall Database
Glossary
Send us a Tip!
Welcome Guide

HomeNewsSecuritySuspected Black Axe gang leaders face cybercrime charges in the US

Suspected Black Axe gang leaders face cybercrime charges in the US

By Sergiu Gatlan

September 15, 2026
05:50 AM
1

Five alleged leaders of the Black Axe cybercrime syndicate, known for its involvement in global-scale cyber-enabled financial fraud, have been extradited to the United States to face wire fraud and money laundering charges.
Defendants Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Osariemen Clement, Collins Otughwor, and Musa Mudashiru have been indicted for coordinating a large-scale internet fraud campaign from 2011 to 2021 that involved advance fee schemes and romance scams.
The five accomplices allegedly used multiple aliases, social media and online dating websites, and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone numbers to talk to victims in the United States and trick them into sending money after making them believe they were in a romantic relationship.
When their targets refused to send them money, they coerced them into making the payments using various manipulation tactics, including threats of publishing sensitive photos of the victim online.
"Black Axe is a notoriously violent transnational criminal organization that also happens to dabble in romance scams to make money," FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy said.
"The ability of FBI Newark and our partner agencies to reach into South Africa illustrates our resolve to hold accountable any and every type of fraudster who preys on innocent victims here in the United States."
The defendants were arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the United States' request and extradited to the United States on September 11, 2026.
If found guilty, they face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charges, a maximum of 20 years for money laundering, and two more years for aggravated identity theft charges.
Last month, law enforcement agencies from 22 countries arrested 58 individuals and identified 263 suspects linked to cybercrime networks coordinated by African crime groups as part of "Operation Jackal IV," an international joint action focused on disrupting the Black Axe criminal ring.
Spanish authorities also arrested 34 cyber fraud suspects believed to be part of a criminal network connected to the Black Axe group.
Founded in 1977 in Nigeria, Black Axe is one of the world's most dangerous and far-reaching cybercrime syndicates, believed to have an extensive network of money mules and facilitators, as well as 30,000 registered members.
In January 2024, Black Axe member Olugbenga Lawal was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the United States for laundering millions stolen from elderly Americans in internet fraud schemes.

Build your security blueprint for AI-powered attacks

Join Mikko Hyppönen and security leaders from the NFL, CHANEL, and Atlassian for a two-hour digital summit on what AI-speed attacks change, what defenders should stop doing, and how to validate, decide, fix, and re-validate at machine speed.
Save your seat

Related Articles:
Police arrests dozens of suspects in global cybercrime crackdownNigerians extradited to US for sextortion, deaths of two teensWhite House taps security firms for offensive hack-back operationsUS charges two over laundering $43 million from investment fraudUS charges alleged operators of Russian bulletproof hosting service

Africa
Black Axe
Cybercrime
Extradition
Money Laundering
Nigeria
Romance Scam
Scam
USA

Sergiu Gatlan
Sergiu is a news reporter who has covered the latest cybersecurity and technology developments for over a decade. Email or Twitter DMs for tips.

Previous Article
Next Article

Comments

johnlsenchak - 3 hours ago

 
 

The scams in Africa always start in Nigeria, the governemnt is highly corrupt and the people follow suit to doing illegal activity.

Post a Comment Community Rules

You need to login in order to post a comment

Not a member yet? Register Now

You may also like:

  Upcoming Webinar

Popular Stories

Microsoft releases emergency Windows updates to fix RDS failures

Dutch NCSC: Critical Check Point VPN flaws exploitation is imminent

Microsoft: September updates cause RDS failures on Windows Server

Sponsor Posts

Patch automation needs more than speed. Action1 brings control into every stage of deployment.

EtherHiding Malware on macOS: How Attackers Hide C2 on the Blockchain

Stay one step ahead of new threats in the new year. Join Huntress for the monthly Tradecraft Tuesday.

Find your gaps before an auditor does. Check your EU CRA readiness in 5 questions. 

Watch a working exploit hit live controls and see exactly what blocks, detects, or misses

Overdue a password health-check? Audit your Active Directory for free

  Upcoming Webinar

Follow us:

Main Sections

News
Webinars
VPN Buyer Guides
SysAdmin Software Guides
Downloads
Virus Removal Guides
Tutorials
Startup Database
Uninstall Database
Glossary

Community

Forums
Forum Rules
Chat

Useful Resources

Welcome Guide
Sitemap

Company

About BleepingComputer
Contact Us
Send us a Tip!
Advertising
Write for BleepingComputer
Social & Feeds
Changelog

Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Ethics Statement - Affiliate Disclosure

Copyright @ 2003 - 2026 Bleeping Computer® LLC - All Rights Reserved

Login

Username

Password

Remember Me

Sign in anonymously

Sign in with Twitter

Not a member yet? Register Now


Reporter

Help us understand the problem. What is going on with this comment?

Spam

Abusive or Harmful

Inappropriate content

Strong language

Other

Read our posting guidelinese to learn what content is prohibited.

Submitting...
SUBMIT

Five alleged leaders of the Black Axe cybercrime syndicate have been extradited to the United States to face federal charges related to wire fraud and money laundering. These defendants, Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Osariemen Clement, Collins Otughwor, and Musa Mudashiru, were indicted for coordinating a large-scale internet fraud campaign spanning from 2011 to 2021 that relied on advance fee schemes and romance scams. The perpetrators allegedly employed numerous aliases, social media platforms, online dating websites, and voice over internet protocol phone numbers to communicate with victims in the United States, manipulating them into sending money under the false pretense of a romantic relationship. When targets refused financial demands, the alleged leaders resorted to coercion, including threatening to publish sensitive photos online, to compel payment.

The FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy characterized the Black Axe as a notoriously violent transnational criminal organization that integrated romance scams into its illicit activities for financial gain. The ability of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to pursue these cases highlights their determination to hold perpetrators accountable for frauding innocent victims in the United States. The defendants were initially arrested in South Africa in 2021 at the United States' request before being extradited to the US on September 11, 2026.

The criminal network linked to Black Axe is extensive, with estimates suggesting it possesses a network of money mules and facilitators alongside approximately 30,000 registered members, having been founded in Nigeria in 1977. In a parallel international effort, law enforcement agencies from 22 countries conducted "Operation Jackal IV," arresting 58 individuals and identifying 263 suspects connected to these cybercrime networks coordinated by African crime groups. Furthermore, Spanish authorities also apprehended 34 individuals believed to be part of this broader criminal network. A specific member, Olugbenga Lawal, was previously sentenced in the United States in January 2024 to ten years in prison for laundering millions stolen from elderly Americans through internet fraud schemes.