FBI Arrests Nine Suspects in Nigeria, Seizes 53 Electronic Devices

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 national borders.

The operation, known as Operation Blackout, is part of wider international efforts to dismantle organised online scam networks that allegedly steal money from unsuspecting victims, including people in the United States.

FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed the results in a statement posted on his official social media account on October 25, 2026. He also revealed that authorities had identified approximately $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries. (The Cable⁠)

Patel praised Nigerian law enforcement agencies and international partners for their cooperation, warning that authorities would continue pursuing criminal networks operating across borders.

The arrests in Nigeria formed part of a broader crackdown involving multiple countries, including Ghana, where authorities also arrested suspects and seized electronic equipment linked to alleged scam operations. (Department of Justice⁠)

What Crimes Are the Nine Suspects Suspected Of?

According to the US Department of Justice, the wider international operation targeted networks associated with several types of online fraud. However, authorities have not publicly disclosed the individual charges, identities or specific alleged offences connected to each of the nine suspects arrested in Nigeria.

The criminal schemes targeted by the broader investigation include the following:

1. Online financial fraud

Investigators targeted networks accused of deceiving people online to obtain money illegally. Such schemes can involve false identities, misleading offers or fabricated opportunities designed to convince victims to transfer money.

2. Cryptocurrency investment scams

The operation targeted cryptocurrency investment fraud, including schemes commonly known as pig butchering. In these scams, fraudsters may build relationships with victims before persuading them to invest money through fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms or investment opportunities.

Victims can lose substantial amounts of money after being shown fabricated investment returns or encouraged to make increasingly large deposits. (Department of Justice⁠)

3. Impersonation scams

Authorities also identified law enforcement impersonation scams among the schemes targeted by the wider operation.

These scams involve criminals pretending to be police officers, government officials or other legitimate authorities to frighten or deceive victims into transferring money or disclosing sensitive information.

4. Digital arrest extortion

The operation also targeted digital arrest extortion schemes. These involve scammers falsely claiming that a person is under investigation, facing arrest or involved in a criminal case.

The fraudsters may then demand money to prevent an alleged arrest or resolve a fabricated legal problem.

Important clarification: These are categories of crimes identified in connection with the wider international crackdown. The FBI has not publicly confirmed that every Nigerian suspect was involved in each of these offences. The specific allegations against the nine individuals remain undisclosed. (Department of Justice⁠)

Why Were 53 Electronic Devices Seized?

The seizure of 53 electronic devices represents a significant part of the investigation in Nigeria.

Electronic devices can contain information that helps investigators examine suspected criminal activities, including communications, financial transactions, account records and links between individuals operating within a network.

Authorities may analyse seized phones, computers and other equipment to identify potential victims, trace suspected financial movements and determine whether different individuals were working together.

However, the FBI’s public announcement did not provide a detailed breakdown of the devices seized in Nigeria or specify what investigators discovered on them.

The seizure itself does not establish that every device owner committed a crime. Investigators must examine the evidence and establish any connection to suspected offences.

$11 Million in Potentially Freezable Funds Identified

Another major development was the identification of approximately $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries.

The money is believed to be potentially subject to freezing as part of the wider investigation into international scam networks.

However, the amount should not be described as money already recovered or seized. Authorities have not disclosed how much of the identified funds, if any, is connected specifically to Nigeria. (Department of Justice⁠)

International Cooperation Against Cybercrime

Operation Blackout highlights the growing cooperation between law enforcement agencies investigating cybercrime across national borders.

The wider enforcement effort involved the FBI, the US Department of Justice, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, Nigerian law enforcement agencies and other international partners.

The US Department of Justice reported that the broader operation resulted in 28 arrests across Nigeria and Ghana, with nine arrests recorded in Nigeria. The wider crackdown also disrupted online scam accounts and targeted criminal networks operating across West Africa. (Department of Justice⁠)

As investigations continue, authorities may examine additional digital evidence and financial records to establish the extent of the alleged criminal activities.

For now, the identities of the nine Nigerian suspects and the specific charges against them have not been publicly disclosed in the reports reviewed.

The case underscores the importance of digital security and caution when dealing with strangers online, particularly when investment opportunities, cryptocurrency transfers or urgent demands for money are involved.