Europol and Spanish Police arrest 34 in crackdown on Black Axe criminal network

Europol announced the arrest of 34 suspected Black Axe members in Spain during a joint operation with Spanish and European law enforcement.

Europol announced the arrest of 34 suspects in Spain linked to the Black Axe criminal network, following a joint operation by Spanish police, Bavarian authorities, and Europol, with most arrests in Seville.

“The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in close cooperation with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt) and with the support of Europol, has conducted an operation against the international criminal organisation ‘Black Axe’.” reads the press release published by Europol. “The action resulted in 34 arrests and significant disruptions to the group’s activities. Black Axe is a highly structured, hierarchical group with its origins in Nigeria and a global presence in dozens of countries. The core group of arrested suspects consists of 10 individuals of Nigerian nationality.”

The Black Axe criminal organization originates in Nigeria and operates globally, it is linked to cyber fraud, trafficking, robbery, and other crimes, generating billions of euros annually.

Spanish authorities arrested 34 suspects linked to an organized crime network, with most arrests in Seville and others in Madrid, Málaga, and Barcelona. Investigators estimate the group caused over €5.93 million in fraud losses.

Police froze €119,352 in bank accounts and seized €66,403 in cash. The operation relied on close Germany–Spain cooperation, including intelligence sharing, analytical support, and German officers on site. The group allegedly recruited vulnerable money mules, mainly Spanish nationals, from high-unemployment areas.

“The operation targeted the core group of the organised crime network, which recruits money mules in impoverished areas with high unemployment rates. Most of these vulnerable individuals are of Spanish nationality and are exploited to facilitate the network’s criminal activities.” continues the press release.

Europol supported the action with 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.

Black Axe, linked to the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, is a highly structured and hierarchical criminal organisation with a global reach. It operates through about 60 zones in Nigeria and 35 overseas, each with roughly 200 members. Overall, the group is estimated to have around 30,000 registered members, supported by numerous affiliates such as money mules and facilitators. Black Axe enforces strict internal rules and discipline, relies on violent and ritualised initiation practices, and incorporates spiritual beliefs and ceremonies to maintain control and cohesion within the organisation.

In October 2022, 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.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Black Axe)