Black Axe Leader Extradited to U.S. for Decade-Long Internet Scams and Money Laundering

From romance scams to laundered millions, Cape Town-based leader faces justice in New Jersey federal court.

A prominent leader of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as Black Axe, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to international internet fraud schemes and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Enorense Izevbigie, 49, also known as “Richy Izevbigie” and “Lord Samuel S Nujoma,” appeared in Trenton federal court following his extradition from South Africa. Izevbigie, originally from Nigeria, is charged in a superseding indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy spanning a decade, from 2011 to 2021. U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni ordered Izevbigie detained pending trial.

The Scheme: Romance Scams and Deception

As a leader of Black Axe’s Cape Town Zone, Izevbigie allegedly helped orchestrate a complex network of romance scams, advance fee schemes, and business email compromises that targeted victims across the United States. Black Axe, a notorious organized crime group headquartered in Benin City, Nigeria, operates internationally with regional chapters, or "zones."

Using social media platforms, online dating websites, and manipulated phone communications, Izevbigie and his co-conspirators preyed on vulnerable individuals. The scams often involved fabricated sob stories about unfortunate events—such as "problems with construction sites" or "crane malfunctions"—to convince victims to send money overseas.

Victims believed they were supporting individuals they had built relationships with online, unaware they were speaking to scammers using aliases and manipulative tactics. Prosecutors allege the conspirators went as far as threatening to distribute sensitive personal photos if victims hesitated to send money.

How the Money Moved

The funds obtained through deception were carefully laundered. The conspirators used:

1. U.S.-based financial accounts (including those belonging to victims) to funnel money overseas.
2. Shell businesses to disguise the funds' illegal origins.
3. Coercion to convince victims to open new bank accounts that the conspirators could control.

The fraudulent proceeds were sent primarily to South Africa, where Izevbigie was based. The conspirators allegedly laundered millions of dollars, derived not only from romance scams but also from business email compromises—a sophisticated form of cyber fraud that targets corporate financial transactions.

Decade-Long International Investigation

Izevbigie, along with six co-defendants, was arrested in South Africa in 2021. While Izevbigie has now been extradited to face trial in New Jersey, his co-defendants remain in South Africa pending extradition proceedings.

The charges carry severe penalties:

• Wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy: Up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count.
• Money laundering conspiracy: Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of laundered funds, whichever is greater.

A Global Effort to Bring Justice

The successful extradition and prosecution of Izevbigie highlight the multi-agency, international collaboration required to combat transnational organized crime. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the FBI Newark Field Office, the FBI Legal Attaché Office in South Africa, and the U.S. Secret Service for their investigative leadership.

International cooperation was essential to this case, with assistance from:

• South Africa’s Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS)
• South African Police Service
• National Prosecuting Authority & Asset Forfeiture Unit
• INTERPOL
• The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs

A Warning to Victims and the Public

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has urged individuals who believe they may have been victims of this scheme to visit justice.gov/usao-nj/blackaxe for information on the case and to submit victim questionnaires.

The Bigger Picture: Transnational Crime Enforcement

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Priority Transnational Organized Crime (PTOC) investigation. The OCDETF program aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most dangerous criminal organizations threatening the United States.

With the trial ahead, Izevbigie’s extradition marks a significant milestone in holding Black Axe accountable for its sprawling network of cyber fraud and financial crimes. For the victims, this is a step toward justice in a story spanning continents, decades, and millions of dollars lost to deception.