Court Sentences 12 in Major Romance Fraud Case
A German court in Munich on Thursday sentenced 12 members of a Nigerian organised crime network to prison terms ranging from three years and four months to eight-and-a-half years. The convictions stem from their roles in an international “romance scam” operation that defrauded victims through fake romantic relationships and subsequent money laundering.
Details of the Scam Operation
The convicted individuals, aged between 34 and 55, were found guilty of participating in a global network that conducted romance-related scams and laundered the proceeds. According to the court, the scammers used fake identities—such as posing as a US soldier stationed in the Middle East—to approach victims on social media or dating apps. They deceived victims into believing they were in a personal or romantic relationship, then requested money transfers for fictitious medical, travel, or customs expenses.
The court noted that victims were predominantly “women, elderly people or people with disabilities.” The illicit funds were subsequently transferred to an organisation called "Neo Black Movement of Africa", also known as "Black Axe", which is based in Nigeria but operates worldwide.
Investigation and Arrests
In April 2024, German police conducted a wave of arrests targeting the gang after years of investigation and surveillance by domestic intelligence agencies. At the time of the operation, Bavarian police stated that many cases had gone unreported, as victims were ashamed of having been manipulated to such an extent.
