Interpol arrested 75 members of the cybercrime ring Black Axe

Interpol has announced the arrests of 75 individuals as part of a coordinated international operation against an organized cybercrime ring called Black Axe.

Interpol arrested 75 individuals as part of a coordinated global operation, codenamed Operation Jackal, against the cybercrime ring Black Axe. The operation involved law enforcement bodies in 14 countries (Argentina, Australia, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, the U.A.E, the U.K., and the U.S.) across four continents and also targeted West African organized crime groups.

These groups are responsible for the majority of financial fraud on a global scale as well as many other serious crimes.

This is the first operation conducted by Interpol specifically targeting the Black Axe cybercrime group.

At the end of September, the INTERPOL team announced the arrest of two suspected members of the criminal organization. The duo is suspected to be responsible for online scams that resulted in the theft of $1.8 million from victims.

“Over one coordinated ‘action week’ (26-30 September), police worldwide launched enforcement operations against individuals linked to the Black Axe group, arresting suspected criminal operators or money mules, raiding and shutting down premises and seizing assets related to ongoing cases.” reads the announcement published by the Interpol.

“Two INTERPOL operational support teams were also deployed to South Africa and Ireland respectively to help coordinate international law enforcement teams on the ground. In Italy, the Carabinieri made three arrests in Campobasso within the framework of the operation.”

Below are the results of Operation Jackal:

• EUR 1.2 million intercepted in bank accounts
• 75 arrests
• 49 property searches
• 7 INTERPOL Purple Notices, detailing criminal modus operandi
• 6 INTERPOL Red Notices, issued for internationally-wanted fugitives

“Fraud is transnational, there are no borders,” said Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of Ireland’s Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, which participated in Operation Jackal. “

This is a great example of what can be achieved when international police forces cooperate by sharing intelligence, information and evidence. By working together with support from INTERPOL, the activities of these criminal gangs can be greatly disrupted, making it safer online for everyone.”

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Black Axe)

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