Cape Town Advocate Robin Lewis has been awarded a medal by the US Secret Service for his work on the case against members of the Black Axe syndicate charged with defrauding unsuspecting women in a romance scam.
The suspects defrauded unsuspecting women for almost $7million (about R103 million), by pretending to be rich men based in America.
They applied for bail last year, and Lewis and Senior State Advocate Lenro Badenhorst successfully opposed it.
An extradition process to stand trial in America started, but the syndicate brought an interlocutory application to have the extradition bundles declared inadmissible and for the court to find that the extradition papers were not properly authenticated.
The two prosecutors opposed the application, and both parties submitted their arguments.
The court ruled that the bundles were properly authenticated and admissible.
Speaking after the award, Lewis said: “I was awarded by the US Secret Service for the work I have done on the Black-Axe case. Although I was awarded, I received a significant amount of assistance and guidance from Advocate Badenhorst. He played a key role in the matter, as did Colonel De Wee, Mr Klaasen from the Department of Home Affairs, and Warrant Officer Van der Heever from Interpol. The matter is ongoing. They wanted to thank me and other officials mentioned for the work we have done thus far.”
Perry Osagiede, Enorense Izevbiege, Franklin Edosa Osagiede, Osariemen Eric Clement, Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, Musa Mudashiru, Prince Ibeabuchi Mark and Toritseju Gabriel Otubu are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section (s) k1349; wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section (s) 1343 and 2, money laundering conspiracy in violation of Title, United States Code Section(s) 1956(h) and aggravated identity theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section(s) 1028A and 2.
The case is set for March 30 2022, for a further extradition hearing.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, welcomed the award, saying it is a recognition of the hard work put into the case by Lewis and other partners in ensuring that justice is delivered for the victim of these crimes.
Cape Times