Interpol’s Jackal III Takes Down “Black Axe” and Other Cybercrime Syndicates
A large-scale international operation against organized crime and cyber fraud originating in West Africa has concluded with remarkable results. As reported by Interpol on Wednesday, law enforcement agencies have arrested 300 suspects across five continents.
The operation, codenamed Jackal III, was conducted from April 10 to July 3, 2023. During this period, authorities seized assets worth $3 million and froze 720 bank accounts believed to be used for criminal purposes.
Isaac Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC) said: “The volume of financial fraud stemming from West Africa is alarming and increasing. This operation’s results underscore the critical need for international law enforcement collaboration to combat these extensive criminal networks. By identifying suspects, recovering illicit funds and putting some of West Africa’s most dangerous organized crime leaders behind bars, we are able to weaken their influence and reduce their capacity to harm communities around the world.”
Particular attention during the operation was given to the group “Black Axe”—a Nigerian criminal organization with a long history. Interpol characterizes “Black Axe” as one of the most influential West African crime syndicates operating on the international stage. The group engages in a wide range of illegal activities, including cyber fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes both on the African continent and beyond.
The criminals utilized bank accounts worldwide to conduct their schemes. Currently, law enforcement agencies in 40 countries are investigating money laundering activities linked to this group.
It is noteworthy that as early as 2021, American law enforcement conducted a major operation in Texas, arresting 33 individuals allegedly connected to this criminal network. The suspects were charged with a range of crimes, including business email compromise (BEC), investor fraud, and illegal unemployment benefit operations. The investigation revealed that the perpetrators managed to steal and launder over $17 million, defrauding at least a hundred victims.
Business email compromise is considered one of the most devastating forms of cybercrime. According to FBI estimates, from June 2016 to December 2021, the global damage from such attacks reached a staggering $43 billion.
The success of Jackal III vividly demonstrates the effectiveness of international cooperation in combating organized crime. Experts believe the operation’s results have dealt a significant blow to the influence and capabilities of criminal structures, which should substantially reduce their ability to harm society on a global scale.
