The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of nine people in Nigeria as part of an operation targeting international cybercriminal networks accused of defrauding Americans. FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed this in a post on X, saying the operation, code-named Blackout, also led to the seizure of…...
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of nine people in Nigeria as part of an operation targeting international cybercriminal networks accused of defrauding Americans.
FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed this in a post on X, saying the operation, code-named Blackout, also led to the seizure of 53 electronic devices and the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries.
“Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans,” Patel said.
He said the targeted networks operated scam centres that exploited victims, stole their life savings and conducted activities across international borders.
“These scam centers exploit innocent victims, steal life savings, and operate across international borders believing they are beyond the reach of law enforcement,” he said.
Patel commended Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their partners in London for their cooperation in the operation.
“Thanks to Nigerian law enforcement and our partners in London for their outstanding cooperation,” he said.
The FBI director warned cybercriminals targeting Americans from overseas that they would be pursued by law enforcement, declaring: “JUSTICE WILL FIND YOU.”
The operation was part of a broader international crackdown on online scam networks operating in West Africa, coordinated with law enforcement agencies and private-sector partners.
The US Department of Justice said the wider effort resulted in 28 arrests across Nigeria and Ghana, the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices and the removal of more than 3.7 million fraudulent online accounts, pages and groups.