German authorities have apprehended 11 Nigerian individuals suspected of affiliation with a mafia group implicated in extensive dating scams.
According to Bavarian police, the Black Axe gang is implicated in a spectrum of criminal endeavors on a global scale.
Within Germany, the organization’s focus centers on perpetrating romance scams and engaging in money laundering activities, as outlined by law enforcement officials.
The police statement elucidated that the fraudsters, utilizing false identities, would feign romantic intentions, subsequently soliciting funds under various pretenses during an ongoing communication.
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Internationally, the gang’s operations encompass a range of illicit activities, including human trafficking, fraud, money laundering, prostitution, and drug trafficking.
All detained suspects maintain Nigerian citizenship and span an age range from 29 to 53 years old. Their apprehension followed extensive investigations spanning over two years, culminating in raids across Bavaria.
A 2021 BBC inquiry into the Black Axe revealed its infiltration into Nigerian politics and its orchestration of a global assassination network.
