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A German court has sentenced 12 Nigerians, members of an organised crime group, to prison for their roles in romance scams and money laundering operations.
The court in Munich ruled on Thursday that the convicted individuals, aged between 34 and 55, received prison sentences ranging from 3 years and 4 months to 8 and a half years.
The group was found guilty of running an international fraud network that used fake online identities to trick victims into fake romantic relationships and steal money from them.
They posed as people such as a US soldier stationed in the Middle East to gain trust through social media and dating platforms.
Victims, who were mostly “women, elderly people or people with disabilities”, were later asked to send money for fake emergencies, including medical bills, travel costs and customs fees.
Authorities said most of the victims were women, elderly people or persons with disabilities.
Investigators said the stolen funds were funnelled through an organisation known as the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also called Black Axe, which is based in Nigeria but operates internationally.
The case follows a major police operation in April 2024, when German authorities arrested several suspects after years of surveillance by intelligence agencies.
Bavarian Police said many victims did not report the crimes because of shame after being deceived online.
