FBI Operation Blackout: 9 Arrested in Nigeria as $11m in Potentially Freezable Funds Identified
The FBI says Operation Blackout has led to nine arrests in Nigeria, the seizure of 53 electronic devices and the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable funds linked to international cybercrime networks targeting Americans.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the Nigeria results on Sunday, describing the operation as part of a wider campaign against overseas scam centres accused of stealing money from victims in the United States.
Patel said the latest operation involved cooperation between Nigerian law enforcement, partners in London and other international agencies.
The FBI says the networks operate across borders, exploiting victims, stealing life savings and, in some cases, using forced labour and trafficking to run scam operations.
FBI Operation Blackout targets Nigeria scam centres
According to Patel, the latest Nigeria operation resulted in:
- 9 arrests
- 53 electronic devices seized
- $11 million in potentially freezable funds identified across multiple countries
The FBI Director said the investigation targeted scam centres involved in international cybercrime and financial fraud.
“These scam centers exploit innocent victims, steal life savings, and operate across international borders believing they are beyond the reach of law enforcement,” Patel said.
He added that the criminals were mistaken if they believed operating outside the United States would shield them from prosecution.
Nigeria and Ghana operations produce wider results
The FBI also reported broader results from recent Operation Blackout activity involving Nigeria and Ghana.
That operation, according to Patel, produced 28 arrests, the seizure of more than 350 devices, and the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable funds.
Authorities also identified more than 100 scam victims and more than 120 trafficked workers for repatriation.
The FBI said 3.7 million fraudulent social media accounts were also taken down with the assistance of Meta.
The figures covering Nigeria alone and the wider Nigeria-Ghana operation are separate, with the Nigeria-specific update accounting for nine arrests and 53 devices seized.
FBI says scam networks target Americans from overseas
The operation highlights the increasingly international nature of online fraud, with criminal networks able to target victims remotely while operating from different countries.
Patel said the scam centres targeted Americans and were responsible for financial losses affecting victims across borders.
The FBI says Operation Blackout is designed to disrupt not only the people operating the scam centres but also the financial infrastructure supporting them.
The agency has also linked some scam compounds to the exploitation and trafficking of workers who are forced to participate in fraudulent online schemes.
International cooperation at the centre of operation
Patel thanked Nigerian law enforcement authorities and partners in London for their cooperation in the Nigeria operation.
He also acknowledged international partners involved in the wider campaign, including Meta, whose cooperation the FBI said contributed to the removal of millions of fraudulent social media accounts.
The emphasis on international cooperation reflects the difficulty of tackling cybercrime networks that can recruit, operate and move money across multiple jurisdictions.
FBI expands global fight against cyber fraud
The FBI says Operation Blackout is part of a broader international campaign against cyber scam compounds.
According to the information released by the agency, the wider operation has resulted in hundreds of arrests, billions of dollars in seizures, the identification or liberation of thousands of trafficked workers and hundreds of millions of dollars in losses prevented for American victims.
The campaign comes as authorities in several countries intensify efforts against online investment scams, romance fraud, cryptocurrency schemes and other forms of organised cyber-enabled crime.
The latest arrests and seizures are expected to feed into ongoing investigations into the international networks allegedly operating the scam centres and moving their proceeds across borders.
For Nigeria, the operation also highlights the role of local law enforcement in international efforts to tackle cybercrime and human trafficking.
The FBI has warned that its campaign will continue to pursue overseas networks targeting American victims, regardless of where the criminals operate.
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