The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has successfully apprehended over 300 individuals connected to one of West Africa’s most notorious criminal networks, Black Axe, along with other related groups.
Black Axe, known for its involvement in trafficking, prostitution, and violent crimes worldwide, primarily generates its revenue through cybercrime. In a recent operation, INTERPOL seized assets worth $3 million, dismantled several criminal networks, and made hundreds of arrests.
The operation, known as Operation Jackal III, was conducted from April 10 to July 3, spanning 21 countries across five continents. It targeted online financial fraud and the West African syndicates behind these crimes. The operation also led to the identification of over 400 additional suspects and the freezing of more than 720 bank accounts.
In February 2024, President Bola Tinubu pledged to strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) ability to combat digital crimes. The Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), Isaac Oginni, emphasized the growing threat of financial fraud originating from West Africa, highlighting the importance of international law enforcement collaboration in curbing these extensive criminal activities.
One significant outcome of Operation Jackal III occurred in Argentina, where a Nigerian-led transnational criminal network was dismantled following a five-year investigation. The Federal Police seized $1.2 million in high-quality counterfeit banknotes, arrested 72 suspects, and froze approximately 100 bank accounts. The network, under investigation in over 40 countries for money laundering, used money mules to open bank accounts worldwide. Victims of this fraud suffered severe financial losses, with some forced to sell their homes or take out large loans.
Diego Verdun, Head of Argentina’s National Central Bureau, stressed the importance of Operation Jackal in combating West African online financial fraud, demonstrating that cybercriminals cannot evade the reach of INTERPOL’s global network.
In another case, Swiss authorities cracked down on West African organized crime syndicates, seizing cocaine, approximately €45,000 in cash, and arresting several suspects. Meanwhile, Portuguese criminal police dismantled a Nigerian network involved in laundering funds from online financial fraud victims across Europe.
Data from seized devices revealed large transfers to Nigerian bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and sophisticated money laundering operations. INTERPOL headquarters played a crucial role in facilitating intelligence exchange and assisting countries in identifying and apprehending suspects.
Operation Jackal III brought together police forces, financial intelligence units, asset recovery offices, and private sector partners from countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In November 2023, the Nigerian Senate raised alarms over the country’s annual loss of $500 million due to various forms of cybercrime.
