Interpol Arrests 300+ Linked to Black Axe in Major Cybercrime Bust

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has arrested over 300 individuals connected to the notorious West African criminal network Black Axe and its affiliated groups.

From April to July 2024, Operation Jackal III spanned 21 countries and targeted one of the world’s most sophisticated cybercrime networks.

Interpol described the operation as a significant blow to Black Axe, notorious for cyber-enabled financial fraud and other serious crimes. The crackdown led to the seizure of $3 million in illegal assets and the freezing of over 700 bank accounts.

Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, emphasised the role of financial technology and cryptocurrency in enabling these cyber criminals. “These syndicates are highly organised and quick to adopt new technologies, which facilitates their illegal activities,” Kaya noted.

Black Axe, a secretive group involved in various criminal activities, including trafficking and violence, derives much of its revenue from cybercrime. The group reportedly recruits members from universities, reflecting its sophisticated and educated base.

Interpol’s efforts against Black Axe have included several “Jackal” operations since 2022, resulting in numerous arrests and the seizure of electronic devices. In a notable case from 2017, Canadian authorities uncovered a money-laundering scheme linked to Black Axe worth over $5 billion.

To combat such sophisticated criminal operations, Interpol has introduced the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments system, which allows the rapid freezing of bank accounts across its 196 member countries. This system was instrumental in stopping a $40 million scam targeting a Singaporean business in July 2024.

Kaya stressed the importance of data collection and collaboration in understanding the group’s operations, suggesting that improved prevention measures are crucial. He also highlighted that political instability in Nigeria contributes to the recruitment of individuals into Black Axe.

President Bola Tinubu pledged increased support for Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to combat digital offences more effectively.

He criticized the negative stereotypes about Nigeria’s association with cybercrime and emphasized the need for better funding for the national cybersecurity program.

The Nigerian Senate has expressed concerns over the estimated $500 million annual loss due to cybercrime and urged for effective funding to protect the digital economy.

The origins of Interpol’s Jackal Operations can be traced back to Ireland, where the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau identified 1,000 individuals linked to Black Axe in 2020. Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan, who led the Irish operation, reported significant money laundering activity related to Black Axe, estimating that €200 million ($220 million) was stolen online in Ireland over the past five years.

Overall, more than €1 million in cryptocurrency was seized during these operations, underscoring the scale and complexity of the cybercrime network’s activities.