Interpol Cracks Down on Nigeria-based West African Cybercrime Syndicate, Black Axe

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has successfully arrested over 300 individuals linked to one of West Africa’s most notorious criminal networks, Black Axe, in a sweeping global operation. The coordinated effort, known as “Operation Jackal III,” took place across 21 countries between April and July 2024, targeting the sophisticated cybercrime group responsible for a significant share of the world’s cyber-enabled financial fraud and other serious crimes.

Interpol has described the operation as a major victory against the Nigerian-based criminal network, which has been expanding its global reach and leveraging advanced technology to perpetrate its crimes. Despite this success, authorities warn that Black Axe remains a significant global threat due to its technological capabilities and international connections.

The operation resulted in the seizure of $3 million in illegal assets and the freezing of more than 700 bank accounts. Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre underscored the role of financial technology and cryptocurrency in facilitating the operations of such criminal syndicates, which are notorious for their involvement in multi-million dollar online scams.

Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at the Centre, highlighted the organized nature of these groups and their early adoption of new technologies to evade detection. “These criminal syndicates are very organized and structured. The advancements in fintech have made it easier for them to illegally move money across the globe,” Kaya said.

Black Axe, initially known for its involvement in human trafficking, prostitution, and murder, has increasingly focused on cybercrime as its primary source of income. The group’s members, many of whom are university-educated, are often recruited during their time in school, where they are indoctrinated into the secretive network.

Since 2022, multiple “Jackal” operations have been launched to combat these criminal activities, resulting in the arrest of numerous gang members and the confiscation of electronic devices crucial to their operations. Notably, Canadian authorities in 2017 uncovered a Black Axe-linked money-laundering scheme valued at over $5 billion.

To enhance the fight against such highly sophisticated criminal groups, Interpol has introduced the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (GRIP) system. This system enables law enforcement agencies in its 196-member countries to freeze bank accounts worldwide with unprecedented speed, which was instrumental in halting a $40 million scam targeting a Singaporean business in July 2024.

Kaya emphasized the importance of data collection and analysis to understand the operational methods of these syndicates. “We need to gather and collate data from these countries to build a comprehensive picture of their modus operandi. With this information, we can take more effective action,” he noted.

Dr. Oluwole Ojewale, West Africa Regional Coordinator at the Institute for Security Studies, criticized the government’s failure to effectively curtail criminal groups like Black Axe. He argued that political figures often exploit these syndicates for personal gain, providing them with the tools necessary to defraud unsuspecting individuals and commit other crimes. Ojewale advocated for a focus on prevention rather than reactive measures.

In February 2024, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu pledged to bolster the capacity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to combat digital offenses. He also condemned the “mislabelling and blanket stereotyping” of Nigeria as a hub of cybercrime.

The Nigerian Senate, in November 2023, expressed concern over the annual loss of $500 million to cybercrime and warned that inadequate funding of the national cybersecurity program could undermine the country’s digital economy.

The origins of Interpol’s Jackal Operations trace back to Ireland, where in 2020, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau identified 1,000 individuals connected to Black Axe, leading to the exposure of a vast criminal network. Michael Cryan, a detective superintendent at the Bureau, noted that the amount of money laundered through Ireland was “astronomical,” with €200 million ($220 million) stolen online in the past five years—a figure that only represents a fraction of reported cybercrimes.

During one operation, over €1 million in crypto-assets were seized, underscoring the scale and sophistication of Black Axe’s global operations.