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Europol and Spanish Police Crack Down on Black Axe Criminal Network, Arresting 34 Suspects

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In a major blow to the global criminal network, Europol and Spanish police have arrested 34 suspected members of the Black Axe organization in a joint operation. The arrests were made in Spain, with most taking place in Seville, as part of a crackdown on the highly structured and hierarchical group.

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The joint operation, which involved the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt), and Europol, resulted in significant disruptions to the group's activities. The Black Axe organization, with its origins in Nigeria, has a global presence in dozens of countries and is linked to cyber fraud, trafficking, robbery, and other crimes that generate billions of euros annually.

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The core group of arrested suspects consists of 10 individuals from Nigeria, while the remaining 24 are suspected members who were recruited by the organization to act as money mules. These vulnerable individuals, mainly Spanish nationals, were exploited to facilitate the network's criminal activities in impoverished areas with high unemployment rates.

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The operation targeted the core group of the organized crime network and relied on close Germany-Spain cooperation, including intelligence sharing, analytical support, and German officers on site. Europol provided crucial support through data analysis, intelligence coordination, a data sprint in Madrid, and on-the-ground assistance, helping map the network, disrupt its cross-border activities, and seize assets.

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The group's hierarchical structure is evident in its internal rules and discipline, which include violent and ritualized initiation practices. Black Axe also incorporates spiritual beliefs and ceremonies to maintain control and cohesion within the organization, which has an estimated 30,000 registered members supported by numerous affiliates, including money mules and facilitators.

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This crackdown on Black Axe follows a previous operation in October 2022, codenamed Operation Jackal, where Interpol arrested 75 individuals as part of a coordinated global effort against the cybercrime ring. The operation involved law enforcement bodies in 14 countries across four continents and targeted West African organized crime groups.

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The Spanish authorities' efforts have led to significant financial losses for the group, with estimates suggesting over €5.93 million in fraud losses. Police also froze €119,352 in bank accounts and seized €66,403 in cash as part of the operation.

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Europol's involvement highlights the growing international cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organized crime networks like Black Axe. The success of this operation serves as a reminder that law enforcement can effectively disrupt and dismantle these organizations, bringing perpetrators to justice and protecting citizens from their crimes.