Enorense Izevbigie, a prominent leader of a notorious group known as Black Axe has been extradited to the United States after being charged with participating in a large-scale internet scam and money laundering operation. This individual, who was the head of a regional chapter of the group in Cape Town, South Africa, faces serious criminal charges involving wire fraud and money laundering.
Who is Behind the Scam?
The individual at the center of the case is Enorense Izevbigie, also known by several aliases including “Richy Izevbigie” and “Lord Samuel S Nujoma.” Izevbigie, 49 years old, is originally from Nigeria but was living in South Africa when he was arrested. He was a leader in a criminal organization called the Neo Black Movement of Africa, or Black Axe. This group, which operates in various countries, is notorious for engaging in internet fraud and other illegal activities.
Izevbigie’s chapter of Black Axe, located in Cape Town, was one of the key players in a decade-long scam that used the internet to trick people out of their money. The fraudsters involved in the scheme would create fake romantic relationships with victims, using online dating platforms and social media to gain their trust. Once they had the victim’s confidence, the scammers would make up stories about needing money for an emergency, often involving a construction accident or a problem with a crane. The victims, believing these stories, would send money to the scammers, thinking they were helping a loved one in trouble.
How the Scam Worked
The scam was not limited to just one or two people. Izevbigie and his co-conspirators worked together over many years, from 2011 to 2021, to deceive people, especially in the United States. Using fake identities and online communication tools like email, phone calls, and messaging apps, they targeted individuals across the country. Victims were manipulated into sending money and goods, such as electronics or jewelry, which were often sent to South Africa.
Frankfort Attorney Brian Logan Admits to Fraud, Identity Theft, and Money Laundering
The scammers didn’t stop at romance scams. They also used business email compromises, where they would trick companies into sending money to fake bank accounts. Once they obtained the money, Izevbigie and his team laundered it by moving it through various financial systems, making it hard to trace. This helped hide the criminal nature of their activities.
Many victims were even persuaded to open bank accounts in the United States that the scammers could control, allowing them to transfer funds across borders without raising suspicion. This complex web of lies and illegal activities made it difficult for authorities to track the criminals, but their operations were eventually uncovered.
The Legal Action Taken
Izevbigie was arrested in 2021 along with several other members of the group. These individuals are also facing charges for their involvement in the scams and are awaiting extradition to the United States. After being arrested in South Africa, Izevbigie was sent to the U.S. to face charges in federal court.
In court, Izevbigie was formally charged with two counts of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy. These charges span over a period of 10 years, from 2011 to 2021, and involve a large number of victims. The consequences for these crimes are severe. If convicted, Izevbigie could face up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and a possible fine of $250,000. The money laundering charges could also result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000 or even more, depending on the amount of money involved.
Izevbigie’s extradition marks an important step in holding him accountable for the widespread fraud he helped orchestrate. His case is part of a broader effort by U.S. authorities to crack down on international scams and protect individuals from falling victim to similar schemes in the future.
Though Izevbigie and his co-defendants have been arrested and charged, it is important to note that they are still presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The investigation into Black Axe and its criminal activities continues, with authorities working to identify and arrest more individuals connected to the group.
