RismadarVoice Reporters
October 27, 2026
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of nine suspects in Nigeria and the seizure of 53 electronic devices during an international operation targeting cybercrime networks accused of defrauding victims across several countries.
The operation, code-named Operation Blackout, also led to the identification of approximately $11 million in funds that could potentially be frozen across multiple jurisdictions.
FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed the development in a statement shared on X and amplified by the United States Mission in Nigeria.
Patel said the operation targeted international scam networks accused of stealing substantial sums from unsuspecting victims, particularly Americans.
He commended Nigerian law enforcement authorities and international partners in London for their cooperation in the investigation.
The FBI did not disclose the identities of the nine suspects, their arrest locations or the specific Nigerian security agencies involved.
The arrests formed part of a broader international enforcement initiative involving authorities from Nigeria, Ghana, the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to the United States Department of Justice, the coordinated operation resulted in 28 arrests across Nigeria and Ghana.
Of that number, 19 suspects were arrested in Ghana, where authorities also recovered 303 electronic devices.
Investigators in Ghana identified 117 suspected victims of human trafficking who were awaiting repatriation to Nigeria.
The Justice Department said the criminal activities under investigation included cryptocurrency investment fraud, impersonation of law enforcement officers, online extortion and other internet-based financial scams.
Technology companies also participated in the crackdown, sharing intelligence and disrupting digital platforms allegedly used by fraudulent networks.
Meta and 14 other technology companies collaborated with law enforcement agencies, leading to the removal of more than 3.7 million suspicious accounts, pages and groups.
The operation also generated intelligence concerning more than 30 suspected scam centres operating across West Africa.
Authorities identified over $11 million in potentially recoverable or freezable funds, although the amount actually frozen or recovered has not been established.
The latest announcement highlights continuing cooperation between Nigerian and international law enforcement agencies in investigating cross-border financial crimes.
The FBI maintained that individuals involved in cybercrime would face investigation and possible prosecution regardless of their location.
Meanwhile, the identities of the nine suspects and the status of any charges against them have not been publicly disclosed.
Investigations are continuing, while the suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless convicted by a competent court.
