FBI arrests nine suspects in Nigeria and tracks $11m in fraud probe

Summary

The US Mission in Nigeria says the FBI arrested nine suspects in Nigeria during a cybercrime operation that also identified $11 million in potentially freezable funds.

Highlights

• FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation, called Operation Blackout, targeted international cybercrime networks.
• Authorities said the Nigeria operation led to nine arrests and the seizure of 53 electronic devices.
• Patel said investigators identified $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries.
• The broader crackdown, according to the US Department of Justice, led to 28 arrests across Nigeria and Ghana.
• The operation also involved Meta and other technology companies, with more than 3.7 million fraudulent accounts, pages and groups removed.