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The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested nine suspects in Nigeria and seized 53 electronic devices in an operation targeting international cybercrime networks accused of stealing billions of dollars from Americans.
The operation, codenamed Operation Blackout, also led to the identification of $11 million in funds across multiple countries that authorities consider potentially eligible for freezing, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel announced the development in a statement posted on X on Sunday, commending Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their counterparts in London for their cooperation.
He said the operation was aimed at dismantling international criminal networks responsible for online scams and other cyber-enabled fraud targeting victims across national borders.
“Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans,” Patel said.
“These scam centres exploit innocent victims, steal life savings, and operate across international borders believing they are beyond the reach of law enforcement. They’re wrong.”
The FBI director also praised the Nigerian authorities and law enforcement partners in London for supporting the operation.
“Thanks to Nigerian law enforcement and our partners in London for their outstanding cooperation,” he added.
Patel reiterated the agency’s determination to pursue individuals and networks accused of targeting Americans from abroad, signalling continued international efforts to combat cybercrime.
The arrests come amid increased cooperation between Nigerian and foreign law enforcement agencies over alleged online fraud, romance scams and other forms of cyber-enabled crime.
In September, South African authorities handed over six Nigerians to FBI officials over allegations that they defrauded more than 100 women through a romance scam operation.
Similarly, in August, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission extradited two Nigerians to the United States over allegations of online sexual exploitation and sextortion involving two teenage boys who later died by suicide.
In another case, the FBI arrested 22 Nigerians in August 2025 over alleged links to financially motivated sextortion schemes associated with a rise in suicides among American teenagers.
The latest operation underscores the growing focus on cross-border law enforcement cooperation as authorities seek to disrupt cybercriminal networks, identify suspected proceeds of crime and gather electronic evidence for potential prosecutions.
However, the nine suspects arrested in Operation Blackout remain suspects, and the allegations against them would need to be established through the appropriate legal process.
