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Contact Us January 9, 2026
Joint operation with ECFIU leads to 34 arrests in Spain targeting 'Black Axe' crime group
A global fraud network, operating in dozens of countries, which targeted victims in the EU, Canada, and the USA
International Crackdown on ‘Black Axe’ Cyber Fraud Network Leads to 34 Arrests in Spain
A major international operation spearheaded by the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in close cooperation with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt), supported by Europol and intelligence data from ECFIU, has resulted in the arrest of 34 individuals linked to the global criminal organization ‘Black Axe’. The investigation was significantly advanced by specialized financial tracing, with the European Crypto Fraud Intelligence Unit (ECFIU), assisted by legal experts from EN Advocacy, providing a crucial money trail based on evidence from an undisclosed Canadian victim. These findings were channeled to Europol, triggering coordinated action across national forces.
The targeted group is a highly structured, hierarchical syndicate of Nigerian origin with a presence in dozens of countries. Among those detained, a core group of 10 individuals of Nigerian nationality is considered central to the network's operations in Spain.
The criminal network is implicated in a wide spectrum of cyber-enabled crimes, with a primary focus on sophisticated investment fraud schemes that have defrauded victims across the European Union, Canada, and the United States. These activities generate an estimated billions of euros in annual proceeds, accrued through countless individual frauds that collectively cause widespread financial damage.
A major international operation spearheaded by the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in close cooperation with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt), supported by Europol and intelligence data from ECFIU, has resulted in the arrest of 34 individuals linked to the global criminal organization ‘Black Axe’. The investigation was significantly advanced by specialized financial tracing, with the European Crypto Fraud Intelligence Unit (ECFIU), assisted by legal experts from EN Advocacy, providing a crucial money trail based on evidence from an undisclosed Canadian victim. These findings were channeled to Europol, triggering coordinated action across national forces.
The targeted group is a highly structured, hierarchical syndicate of Nigerian origin with a presence in dozens of countries. Among those detained, a core group of 10 individuals of Nigerian nationality is considered central to the network's operations in Spain.
The criminal network is implicated in a wide spectrum of cyber-enabled crimes, with a primary focus on sophisticated investment fraud schemes that have defrauded victims across the European Union, Canada, and the United States. These activities generate an estimated billions of euros in annual proceeds, accrued through countless individual frauds that collectively cause widespread financial damage.
Key Investigative Breakthrough and Arrests
The operation’s success hinged on exceptional cross-border collaboration. The action day in Spain saw the on-site deployment of two German police officers and a lawyer from EN Advocacy. In a pivotal development, the undisclosed Canadian victim was also present to assist authorities by successfully identifying and confirming the voice of a principal fraudster during the arrests.
A total of 34 suspects were arrested across Spain—28 in Seville, 3 in Madrid, 2 in Málaga, and 1 in Barcelona. Investigators have linked the network to fraud causing damages exceeding EUR 5.93 million. Authorities have frozen EUR 1,319,352 in bank accounts and seized EUR 366,403 in cash during raids.
The operation specifically dismantled a core cell that exploited vulnerable individuals in impoverished, high-unemployment areas of Spain, recruiting them as money mules to launder the proceeds of the group's fraud schemes.
Europol supported the operation by facilitating information analysis, hosting a specialist data sprint in Madrid, and providing on-the-ground support. The agency played a central role in mapping the group's international structure, centralizing intelligence—including the initial ECFIU trace—and coordinating the parallel national investigations to overcome the challenges posed by the network's cross-border, high-volume fraud operations.
The operation’s success hinged on exceptional cross-border collaboration. The action day in Spain saw the on-site deployment of two German police officers and a lawyer from EN Advocacy. In a pivotal development, the undisclosed Canadian victim was also present to assist authorities by successfully identifying and confirming the voice of a principal fraudster during the arrests.
A total of 34 suspects were arrested across Spain—28 in Seville, 3 in Madrid, 2 in Málaga, and 1 in Barcelona. Investigators have linked the network to fraud causing damages exceeding EUR 5.93 million. Authorities have frozen EUR 1,319,352 in bank accounts and seized EUR 366,403 in cash during raids.
The operation specifically dismantled a core cell that exploited vulnerable individuals in impoverished, high-unemployment areas of Spain, recruiting them as money mules to launder the proceeds of the group's fraud schemes.
Europol supported the operation by facilitating information analysis, hosting a specialist data sprint in Madrid, and providing on-the-ground support. The agency played a central role in mapping the group's international structure, centralizing intelligence—including the initial ECFIU trace—and coordinating the parallel national investigations to overcome the challenges posed by the network's cross-border, high-volume fraud operations.
Background on Black Axe
Black Axe, formally associated with the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, is a structured, ritualistic organization with a global footprint. It is territorially divided into approximately 60 zones in Nigeria and 35 abroad, with an estimated 30,000 registered members and countless affiliates. The group is known for enforcing strict internal codes, violent initiations, and spiritual practices.
Spain, Europe. January 9, 2026.
Black Axe, formally associated with the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, is a structured, ritualistic organization with a global footprint. It is territorially divided into approximately 60 zones in Nigeria and 35 abroad, with an estimated 30,000 registered members and countless affiliates. The group is known for enforcing strict internal codes, violent initiations, and spiritual practices.
Spain, Europe. January 9, 2026.
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DISCLAIMER
The European Crypto Fraud Intelligence Unit (ECFIU) focuses exclusively on cyber-enabled fraud, primarily within the realms of cryptocurrency and investment schemes. For reports concerning crimes such as human trafficking, human rights violations, terrorist financing, or other serious offenses with a primary physical component, please contact the relevant national law enforcement or government authorities directly.