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A prosecutor based in Cape Town has been honoured with a medal from the United States of America (USA) Secret Service for his work on the case against the Black Axe syndicate.
South African Authorities have been working together with the Secret Service, Interpol and the FBI to arrest so-called "romance scamsters" who would exploit vulnerable women online for money.
The suspects all pretended to be rich businessmen from America and have defrauded several women of over R100 million since 2011.
In October last year, eight suspects were arrested in Cape Town and when they applied for bail State Advocate Robin Lewis opposed it.
He also started proceedings to have the men extradited to the USA where they are facing several charges including wire fraud conspiracy and violation, money laundering conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
Advocate Lewis said although he got the award, he received significant assistance and guidance from a fellow advocate, local police, Interpol and the Department of Home Affairs.
From left to right: Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Western Cape and expert in extradition, Advocate Dave Damerell, Michael K Burgin from the Secret Service, Advocate Robin Lewis and Ultrich Kruger from the Secret Service
The case is set down for next week, for a further extradition hearing.
It is believed that the suspects have ties to a transnational organized crime syndicate originating in Nigeria.
They would use social media and online dating sites to lure widows and divorcees by making them believe that they were in a genuine romantic relationship.
As soon as they gained the trust of their victims they would concoct all kinds of sob stories as to why they needed money.
Some would say they needed money to release an inheritance, to go on an essential overseas trip or to help with crippling debt.
