In a massive global operation, the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has arrested more than 300 individuals associated with Black Axe, a notorious West African criminal network. The operation, named Jackal III, spanned 21 countries and led to significant arrests, asset seizures, and the dismantling of multiple criminal syndicates.
Black Axe, known for its involvement in human trafficking, prostitution, assassinations, and cybercrime, was a primary target of the operation. Running from April 10 to July 3, 2024, Operation Jackal III focused on tackling online financial fraud orchestrated by West African syndicates.
Key achievements of the operation include the seizure of assets worth $3 million, the identification of over 400 additional suspects, and the blocking of more than 720 bank accounts linked to criminal activities. Isaac Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), emphasized the importance of international collaboration in combating these extensive criminal networks, noting the alarming increase in financial fraud originating from West Africa.
The operation’s impact was felt worldwide, with notable successes in Argentina, where a Nigerian-led transnational criminal network was dismantled after a five-year investigation. Argentine authorities seized $1.2 million in counterfeit currency, arrested 72 suspects, and froze approximately 100 bank accounts. The investigation, which spans over 40 countries, uncovered significant money laundering activities, affecting more than 160 fraud victims globally.
In Switzerland, the crackdown led to the seizure of cocaine and €45,000 in cash, along with multiple arrests. In Portugal, police dismantled a Nigerian network involved in sophisticated money laundering operations, including significant cryptocurrency transactions.
The crackdown on Black Axe comes as Nigeria intensifies its efforts against cybercrime, which reportedly costs the country $500 million annually. President Bola Tinubu has pledged to bolster the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enhance its fight against digital offences.
Operation Jackal III stands as a powerful testament to global resolve in tackling organized crime and cybercriminals, reinforcing that such offenders cannot escape the vigilance of INTERPOL’s 196 member countries.