Nine individuals have been arrested in Nigeria following a coordinated international law enforcement operation targeting cross-border cybercrime networks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed on Sunday.
The sweep, conducted under the banner of “Operation Blackout,” also resulted in the seizure of 53 electronic devices and the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable illicit assets across multiple jurisdictions.
Takedown of international scam hubs
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the developments in an official update posted on his X account, explaining that the crackdown specifically targets organised cybercriminal syndicates exploiting victims in the United States.
“Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans,” Patel stated. “Our latest operation in Nigeria delivered: nine arrests, 53 electronic devices seized, and $11 million in potentially freezable funds identified across multiple countries.”
Patel added that the criminal networks operate out of centralised scam hubs, relying on international borders to evade local law enforcement.
“These scam centres exploit innocent victims, steal life savings, and operate across international borders believing they are beyond the reach of law enforcement,” he noted. “They’re wrong.”
Multinational law enforcement collaboration
The operation relied heavily on operational assistance from law enforcement authorities in Nigeria, as well as partner agencies in London, United Kingdom.
The joint initiative forms part of a broader multinational enforcement effort across West Africa that has dismantled several cybercrime rings, taken down millions of fraudulent online accounts, and seized hundreds of digital storage units and mobile devices.
Directing a warning to cybercriminals operating from foreign jurisdictions, Patel stressed that distance will not offer immunity from prosecution:
“To the criminals targeting Americans from overseas: JUSTICE WILL FIND YOU.”
