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US seeks to extradite Joburg man accused of online scams

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 04 Jul 2022

A 28-year-old Nigerian national, James Junior Aliyu, will appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court tomorrow to answer charges of phishing, internet scams and money-laundering.

Aliyu, who was arrested last week by Interpol South Africa in Sandton, is believed to be part of a cyber crime ring involved in online scams.

“His arrest follows a widespread investigation involving law enforcement authorities from South Africa and the United States of America,” says colonel Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for the South African Police Service.

“The cyber crime suspect, who has been conducting his criminal activities from South Africa, is accused of swindling dozens of US citizens millions in US dollars through e-mail and text messages. Authorities in the US, where the investigation originated and where most of his alleged victims are based, have applied for his extradition.

“The suspect has already appeared before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on the same day of his arrest and the matter has been remanded to 5 July 2022.”

Aliyu is the latest Gauteng-based man to be arrested for multimillion-rand internet crimes, following the imprisonment of 54-year-old Jonathan Madueke in May.

Madueke was jailed by the Alexandra Region Court for fraud and extortion involving an online scam after trying to swindle $500 000 (R8 million) through an online dating scam.

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