German court jails 12 members of Nigerian ‘love scam’ network

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A German court jailed 12 members of a Nigerian organised crime ring on Thursday for their part in so-called “love scams” and money laundering.

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The court in Munich said those convicted were aged between 34 and 55 and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three years and four months to eight-and-a-half years.

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They were found guilty of involvement in an international network that was used to run romance-related scams and then illegally launder the proceeds.

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The scammers used fake identities, for example posing as a US soldier stationed in the Middle East, to approach victims on social media or dating apps and dupe them into believing they were in a personal or romantic relationship.

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The victims were then asked to make money transfers to help with fictitious medical, travel or customs costs.

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The court said the victims were mostly “women, elderly people or people with disabilities”.

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The money was then transferred to an organisation called “Neo Black Movement of Africa”, also known as “Black Axe”, based in Nigeria but active worldwide.

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In April 2024, German police carried out a wave of arrests targeting the gang after years of investigation and surveillance by domestic intelligence agencies.

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At the time of the operation, Bavarian police said many cases had not been reported, as victims were ashamed of having allowed themselves to be manipulated to such an extent.

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AFP

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