Interpol cracks down on Black Axe group, arrests over 300 members

The operation, called Jackal IIIwas carried out in 21 countries and led to numerous arrests, asset seizures and the dismantling of several criminal gangs.

Black Axe, a secret network notorious for human trafficking, prostitution and murder, derives its income primarily from cybercrime.

The operation, which ran from April 10 to July 3, 2024, targeted online financial fraud and the West African syndicates that orchestrated these crimes.

INTERPOL’s efforts resulted in the seizure of $3 million in assets and the identification of more than 400 additional suspects. The operation also resulted in the freezing of more than 720 bank accounts linked to criminal activities.

Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), Isaac OginnI stressed the importance of this operation and stated: “The scale of financial fraud originating in West Africa is alarming and growing. The results of this operation underscore the urgent need for international law enforcement cooperation to combat these extensive criminal networks.”

Oginni further stressed the operation’s success in weakening the influence of some of West Africa’s most dangerous organised crime leaders.

“By identifying suspects, recovering illicit funds and putting some of West Africa’s most dangerous organised crime leaders behind bars, we can reduce their ability to harm communities around the world.” he added.

The success of Operation Jackal III was particularly notable in Argentina, where a five-year investigation dismantled a Nigerian-led transnational criminal network.

Argentine Federal Police have seized $1.2 million in counterfeit “super notes,” arrested 72 suspects and frozen approximately 100 bank accounts. The investigation, spanning more than 40 countries, revealed the network’s involvement in significant money laundering activities, affecting more than 160 fraud victims worldwide.

Diego VerdunHead of Argentina’s National Central Office, commented on the success of the operation, stating: “Operation Jackal is a crucial step forward in the fight against online financial fraud in West Africa and clearly demonstrates that cybercriminals cannot escape the watchful eye of INTERPOL’s 196 member countries, particularly in Argentina.”

In Switzerland, a crackdown on West African criminal organizations led to the seizure of cocaine, €45,000 in cash and the arrest of several suspects.

Meanwhile, Portuguese police have busted a Nigerian money mule recruitment network, uncovering sophisticated money laundering operations and large-scale cryptocurrency transactions.

The measures come as Nigeria continues to battle cybercrime, which reportedly costs the country $500 million annually.

President Ball Tinubu has pledged greater support to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to strengthen its efforts in the fight against digital crimes.

With its wide reach and success, INTERPOL’s operation Jackal III is a powerful reminder of the global resolve to tackle organised crime and cybercriminals wherever they operate.