The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it has arrested nine suspects in Nigeria and seized 53 electronic devices during an operation targeting international cybercrime networks accused of stealing billions of dollars from Americans.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the operation, dubbed Operation Blackout, in a statement published on X on Sunday.
According to Patel, the operation was aimed at disrupting international cybercriminal networks responsible for large-scale financial theft targeting victims in the United States.
The FBI has not provided further details in the statement on the identities of the suspects, the specific cybercrime allegations against them or the locations where the arrests were made.
It is also unclear whether the suspects have been formally charged or what role the seized electronic devices are believed to have played in the alleged criminal activities.
The 53 devices recovered during the operation could form part of investigations into the networks’ activities, although the FBI has yet to disclose the findings of any forensic examination.
Cybercrime, including online fraud, identity theft and financial scams, remains a major concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide, with criminal networks frequently operating across international borders.
The FBI works with law enforcement agencies in other countries to investigate cyber-enabled financial crimes and identify suspects operating beyond US jurisdiction.
Further details about the arrests and the outcome of Operation Blackout are expected as investigations continue.
