The two were arrested in a sting operation around Pretoria on Wednesday. The joint operation by Interpol and the Hawks recovered laptops, phones, cash and an unlicensed firearm. The suspects, aged 39 and 42, are alleged to be cult members of a group called Air Lord's. This group is said to be rivals to another called the Black Axe Movement. The arrest was one of many simultaneously happening in many countries. The suspects will be charged and extradited by Interpol.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the search and seizure operation by the joint team recovered electronic equipment including laptops and phones, thousands of rand in cash as well as an unlicensed firearm in Wapadrand and Sunnyside. She added: “The suspects will be linked to the online scams that are being investigated by the 419 Provincial Task team. This arrest is but one of several simultaneous happening currently in other countries tracing the suspects involved in online scams such as romance , investments, Bitcoin, employment and all related Advance Fee fraud,” she said.