Hundreds linked to black axe, cybercrimes arrested – Interpol
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has disclosed that it has apprehended over 300 individuals associated with one of West Africa’s most notorious criminal organizations, Black Axe, and its related groups.
This announcement follows “Operation Jackal III,” a comprehensive international crackdown that resulted in the confiscation of $3 million in illicit assets and the freezing of more than 700 bank accounts.
Conducted between April and July 2024 across 21 countries, Operation Jackal III targeted the sophisticated cybercrime network known for its involvement in significant global financial fraud and other severe criminal activities.
The operation revealed that several members of the notorious group are university graduates who were recruited into Black Axe during their academic years.
A 2022 INTERPOL report highlighted that Black Axe and similar organizations are responsible for the majority of cyber-enabled financial fraud worldwide, alongside other grave criminal acts.
INTERPOL described the operation as a significant setback for the Nigerian crime network and cautioned about its global influence and advanced technological capabilities. The organization has labeled Black Axe as a global threat.
Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, emphasized the critical role of financial technology and cryptocurrency in facilitating the operations of these cybercrime syndicates, known for their high-value online scams. He remarked, “These criminal organizations are highly organized and adopt new technologies early. Many fintech innovations make it easier to move money illicitly across borders.”
In 2017, Canadian authorities uncovered a Black Axe-linked money-laundering scheme valued at over $5 billion (£3.8 billion), underscoring the complexity of combating such advanced criminal networks.
To address these challenges, INTERPOL has introduced the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments system, which allows authorities in its 196 member countries to swiftly freeze bank accounts globally.
