The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Kash Patel, has said the agency’s operation against international criminal networks resulted in nine arrests and the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries, including Nigeria.
Patel disclosed this in a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday.
According to him, the FBI’s Operation Blackout has helped clamp down directly on international cybercriminal networks accused of stealing billions of dollars from Americans.
In addition to the nine arrests, Patel said the operation led to the seizure of 53 electronic devices in Nigeria.
He also commended Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the FBI’s partners in London for their cooperation in the operation.
“Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans.
“Our latest operation in Nigeria delivered:
“9 ARRESTS.
“53 electronic devices seized.
“$11 MILLION in potentially freezable funds identified across multiple countries.
“These scam centres exploit innocent victims, steal life savings, and operate across international borders, believing they are beyond the reach of law enforcement.
“They’re wrong. Thanks to Nigerian law enforcement and our partners in London for their outstanding cooperation.
“To the criminals targeting Americans from overseas: JUSTICE WILL FIND YOU,” he wrote on X.
FBI arrests nine in Nigeria, identifies $11m in potentially freezable funds – Patel