Europol, working in collaboration with Spanish and German law enforcement agencies, has arrested 34 members of the Black Axe cult, including 10 Nigerians, over alleged involvement in cyber fraud and other organised crimes in Spain.
In a statement on Tuesday, Europol said, “Twenty-eight arrests were carried out in Seville, as well as three in Madrid, two in Málaga, and one in Barcelona,” adding that “Black Axe is a highly structured, hierarchical group with its origins in Nigeria and a global presence in dozens of countries.”
The European security agency noted that the core group of suspects arrested comprised 10 individuals of Nigerian nationality.
According to Europol, the criminal network is linked to a wide range of offences, including cyber-enabled fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution, kidnapping, armed robbery, and fraudulent spiritual practices.
“The group’s annual criminal proceeds are estimated to be in the billions of euros, generated through many small-scale operations that collectively have a significant impact,” Europol said, noting that investigators believe the syndicate is responsible for fraud causing damages exceeding €5.93 million.
Authorities reportedly froze €119,352 in bank accounts and seized €66,403 in cash during house searches, while Europol added that the organisation, formally linked to the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, operates through dozens of zones globally and enforces “strict codes of conduct, violent and ritualistic initiations, and spiritual practices.”