Europol, in a coordinated operation with Spanish and German law enforcement, announced the arrest of 34 suspects linked to the Nigeria-originated ‘Black Axe’ criminal network, including 10 Nigerian nationals, for alleged fraud exceeding €5.93 million. The agency stated the operation targeted the group’s “core leadership” and financial facilitators, seizing cash and freezing bank accounts across Spain, and described the syndicate as “a highly structured, hierarchical group” involved in cyber-enabled fraud and other transnational crimes.
In a released statement, Europol said, “The action resulted in 34 arrests and significant disruptions to the group’s activities,” highlighting the ongoing global crackdown on the organization following previous mass arrests in 2024. Summary: A Europol-led sting has dismantled key leadership of the ‘Black Axe’ syndicate, arresting 10 Nigerians among dozens suspected of multimillion-euro fraud.