FBI arrests nine in Nigeria over alleged $11 million cybercrime operation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced nine arrests in Nigeria over an alleged $11 million international cybercrime operation. The post FBI arrests nine in Nigeria over alleged $11 million cybercrime operation appeared first on Nairametrics .
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of nine individuals in Nigeria as part of an international operation targeting a $11 million cybercrime network. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests on Sunday, stating that the operation, dubbed "Operation Blackout," marked the culmination of efforts to dismantle cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans.
Patel emphasized that the operation targeted scam centers that exploit victims and operate under the false assumption of impunity across borders. He praised the cooperation of Nigerian law enforcement and partners in London in the successful operation. The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, released in 2026, indicated that Nigeria had 1,219 complainants, contributing to nearly $1.6 billion in losses globally due to international cybercrime activities.
Investment scams alone accounted for $5.8 billion, or over 50% of reported cryptocurrency losses in 2024, sparking concerns about regulatory oversight.
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