The FBI arrests nine suspects in Nigeria, seizes 53 electronic devices and identifies $11 million in potentially freezable funds across countries.
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested nine suspects in Nigeria as part of an operation targeting international cybercriminal networks accused of stealing billions of dollars from Americans.
In a statement published on X on Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation, codenamed “Operation Blackout”, resulted in the seizure of 53 electronic devices.
Patel added that the operation led to the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries.
According to the FBI director, the targeted cybercrime networks exploit victims, steal their life savings and operate across international borders in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
“Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans,” Patel said.
“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.”
Patel commended Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their partners in London for their cooperation, while vowing to prosecute criminals targeting Americans from abroad.