By Akonasu GBEDOZIN FBI operatives The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested nine suspects and seized 53 elect...
By Akonasu GBEDOZIN
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| FBI operatives |
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested nine suspects and seized 53 electronic devices in Nigeria as part of an international operation targeting cybercriminal networks allegedly responsible for defrauding Americans of billions of dollars. The operation, codenamed Operation Blackout, is aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in cross-border cyber fraud and disrupting their financial operations.
FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed the development in a statement published on his official X account on Sunday, October 25, 2026. He revealed that the operation had also led investigators to identify approximately $11 million in funds across multiple countries that could potentially be frozen or recovered as part of efforts to weaken the financial capacity of the suspected criminal networks.
According to Patel, the latest phase of Operation Blackout in Nigeria resulted in the arrest of nine suspects and the seizure of 53 electronic devices believed to be connected to the ongoing investigation. However, the FBI director did not disclose the identities of the suspects or provide specific details about the alleged offences that led to their arrests.
Patel described the targeted scam centres as criminal enterprises that prey on unsuspecting victims, depriving them of their life savings through fraudulent schemes. He noted that such networks exploit international borders and digital technology to conceal their activities, move illicit funds across jurisdictions and evade law enforcement agencies.
Emphasising the determination of American authorities to combat cybercrime, Patel said the operation demonstrated the FBI's commitment to pursuing suspected criminals regardless of where they operate. “Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans,” he stated, warning that geographical distance would not shield offenders from investigation and prosecution.
The FBI director also commended Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the bureau's partners in London for their cooperation in the operation. He stressed the importance of international collaboration in dismantling cybercriminal networks, tracing suspicious financial transactions and ensuring that those found guilty of criminal activities face justice. Patel issued a stern warning to individuals targeting Americans from overseas, declaring: “JUSTICE WILL FIND YOU.”
The operation underscores the growing importance of cross-border cooperation in combating cybercrime and protecting victims from financial exploitation. Nevertheless, the Nigerian agencies directly involved in the arrests and the specific charges against the nine suspects were not disclosed in the statement. The allegations remain subject to investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings, and the suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
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