Article Title: Europol Dismantles Black Axe Network in Spain, Arresting 34 Members Involved in €5.9 Million Fraud
In a significant crackdown on transnational organized crime, Europol, in collaboration with the Spanish National Police and the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, has arrested 34 individuals in Spain linked to the notorious Black Axe syndicate. This operation, executed on January 10, 2026, marks a pivotal step in combating the group’s extensive criminal activities.
Operation Details
The coordinated effort led to 28 arrests in Seville, with additional apprehensions in Madrid (3), Málaga (2), and Barcelona (1). Authorities have frozen €119,352 in bank accounts and seized €66,403 in cash during house searches. The Black Axe network is implicated in fraudulent activities causing damages exceeding €5.93 million.
Origins and Global Reach of Black Axe
Founded in Nigeria in 1977, Black Axe has evolved into a hierarchical criminal organization with approximately 30,000 registered members and numerous affiliates worldwide. The group is notorious for its involvement in cyber-enabled fraud, drug and human trafficking, kidnapping, armed robbery, and fraudulent spiritual practices.
Previous Law Enforcement Actions
This recent operation follows a series of global efforts to dismantle Black Axe’s operations. In late 2022, INTERPOL’s Operation Jackal resulted in the arrest of 75 individuals associated with the syndicate, uncovering schemes that defrauded victims of millions. In July 2024, INTERPOL confiscated over $5 million in assets, cryptocurrencies, and luxury items, leading to over 400 arrests and the identification of thousands of additional suspects.
Black Axe’s Criminal Activities
Black Axe’s criminal portfolio includes business email compromise schemes, romance scams, inheritance scams, credit card fraud, tax fraud, advance payment scams, and money laundering. These activities have facilitated extensive financial fraud, impacting victims globally.
Significance of the Operation
The dismantling of Black Axe’s operations in Spain underscores the effectiveness of international cooperation in combating organized crime. Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, emphasized the importance of disrupting the services criminals rely on, stating, By disrupting the services criminals rely on to deploy ransomware, we are breaking the kill chain at its source.
Broader Implications
This operation is part of a broader strategy to target transnational organized crime networks. Similar efforts have led to significant arrests and seizures, including the dismantling of a €600 million crypto fraud network and the seizure of 300 servers linked to ransomware networks worldwide.
Conclusion
The arrest of 34 Black Axe members in Spain represents a significant victory in the fight against organized crime. It highlights the critical role of international collaboration in addressing the complex challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations.
