Cybercrime: FBI Arrests 9 Nigerians, Identifies $11m In Potentially Freezable Funds

The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, has disclosed that nine Nigerians were arrested and 53 electronic devices were seized in a recent operation targeting international cybercriminal networks in Nigeria.

Patel also said the operation, conducted under Operation Blackout, led to the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries.

The FBI director disclosed this in a post on his official X handle on Monday, thanking Nigerian law enforcement agencies and partners in London for their collaboration.

He said, “Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans.

“Our latest operation in Nigeria delivered:

“9 ARRESTS.

“53 electronic devices seized.

“$11 MILLION in potentially freezable funds identified across multiple countries.

“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.

“Thanks to Nigerian law enforcement and our partners in London for their outstanding cooperation.

“To the criminals targeting Americans from overseas: JUSTICE WILL FIND YOU.”

The operation underscores ongoing international efforts to tackle cybercrime networks accused of defrauding victims, stealing their savings and moving illicit funds across national borders.

Patel did not disclose the identities of the suspects, the specific locations of the arrests or the countries where the potentially recoverable funds were identified.