The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of nine suspects in Nigeria over alleged cybercrime activities, with 53 electronic devices recovered during an operation targeting international cybercriminal networks.
The operation, code-named Operation Blackout, also led to the identification of $11 million in funds across multiple countries that could potentially be frozen, according to the FBI.
In a statement announcing the operation, the agency said the crackdown targeted cybercriminal networks accused of defrauding Americans and stealing billions of dollars from victims through online scams.
The FBI said the criminal networks exploit unsuspecting individuals, steal their life savings and operate across international borders in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
“These scam centers exploit innocent victims, steal life savings, and operate across international borders believing they are beyond the reach of law enforcement,” the agency said.
The bureau added that the operation demonstrated its commitment to pursuing cybercriminals regardless of where they operate.
The FBI also acknowledged the cooperation of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and its partners in London, describing their support as instrumental to the operation.
It warned individuals involved in cybercrime targeting Americans from overseas that they would be pursued and held accountable.
“To the criminals targeting Americans from overseas: JUSTICE WILL FIND YOU,” the agency declared.
The recovery of 53 electronic devices and the identification of potentially freezeable funds across multiple countries underscore the international scope of the investigation.
However, the FBI’s announcement did not immediately provide the identities of the nine suspects, the specific cybercrime charges they may face or details of the locations where the arrests were made.
The $11 million identified was described as potentially freezeable funds, meaning the amount should not be interpreted as money already seized or recovered.
