A coordinated international law enforcement initiative led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) resulted in the arrest of nine suspects in Nigeria, the seizure of 53 electronic devices, and the identification of $11 million in potentially freezable assets across multiple countries. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the results of the crackdown, code-named Operation Blackout, in an official statement published on his X account on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
The operation specifically targeted global cybercriminal networks responsible for running online financial schemes that steal billions of dollars from American citizens. According to Director Patel, the multi-jurisdictional raid focused on illicit scam centers operating across international borders. In addition to the nine arrests executed in Nigeria, investigators confiscated 53 electronic devices for digital forensic examination and identified $11 million in illicit funds that law enforcement agencies across multiple nations are now working to freeze.
“Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans,” Director Patel stated. He noted that these networks frequently operate scam centers designed to exploit innocent victims and strip them of their life savings under the mistaken belief that geographic distance shields them from prosecution. “They’re wrong,” Patel added. The FBI director extended official appreciation to local agencies, specifically commending Nigerian law enforcement authorities alongside UK operational partners in London for their assistance in executing the sweep.
Patel issued a clear warning to remaining fugitives and overseas syndicates, concluding that justice will ultimately find those targeting American citizens from foreign soil. The seized hardware will undergo forensic analysis by law enforcement specialists to uncover further operational nodes, linked bank accounts, and accomplices, while formal legal proceedings against the nine detained suspects are expected to follow through the appropriate judicial channels.
