Interpol’s Operation Jackal III Deals a Major Setback to the Black Axe Mafia

Interpol’s Operation Jackal III targeted the Black Axe mafia, leading to the arrest of 300 individuals across 21 countries and the seizure of $3 million in assets. Despite these efforts, the organization remains a significant global threat due to its advanced technology and international reach. Experts stress the importance of prevention strategies alongside enforcement actions to address the root causes of such crime syndicates in West Africa.

In a landmark operation dubbed Operation Jackal III, Interpol has successfully coordinated a global crackdown on the notorious Black Axe mafia, one of the most feared criminal organizations in West Africa. Conducted between April and July 2024, this extensive operation resulted in the arrest of 300 individuals linked to Black Axe across 21 countries. Despite this significant achievement, Interpol cautions that the group, known for its sophistication and international reach, continues to pose a substantial global threat due to its advanced technological capabilities. A report from 2022 indicated that Black Axe and similar syndicates are responsible for a majority of the world’s cyber-enabled financial fraud, alongside many other serious crimes. Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, remarked on the group’s organized structure: “They are very organised and very structured.” The increasing use of innovative money-transfer technologies and cryptocurrency has facilitated Black Axe’s operations, which heavily rely on multi-million dollar online scams. Operation Jackal III, which had been in planning for several years, resulted in the seizure of $3 million in illegal assets and the freezing of over 700 bank accounts. The organization, with roots in Nigeria, attracts members who are often well-educated and recruited while in university. Its illegal activities span trafficking, prostitution, murder, and predominantly cyber-crime, which serves as its primary revenue source. Numerous previous Jackal operations since 2022 have led to arrests and the confiscation of electronic evidence, paving the way for the establishment of a comprehensive intelligence database utilized by law enforcement across Interpol’s 196 member nations. Mr. Kaya emphasized the necessity of data in understanding the operational methods of these syndicates. However, experts warn that focusing solely on enforcement does not address the underlying causes of such crime networks in West Africa. Dr. Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Co-ordinator for the Institute for Security Studies, highlighted the importance of prevention, stating, “The emphasis must actually be on prevention not on outright operations against these criminal groups.” Nigeria, grappling with significant poverty rates and systemic corruption, serves as a recruitment base for Black Axe. Interpol has initiated training programs with Nigerian authorities, yet the challenges of corruption and complicity between local officials and criminal organizations persist, as noted by Dr. Ojewale. The origins of Interpol’s Jackal operations can be traced back to Ireland, where police operations in 2020 unveiled a broader Black Axe network. Some 1,000 individuals were identified, prompting hundreds of arrests related to fraud and cyber-crime. Significant sums, estimated at €200 million, have been reported stolen online in Ireland alone over five years. Furthermore, recent operations unveiled the growing use of cryptocurrency in Black Axe’s money-laundering schemes, with over €1 million in crypto-assets seized. In response to these challenges, Interpol has launched the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments system (I-GRIP) to enable swift freezing of bank accounts across borders, exemplified by a recent intervention that halted a $40 million scam targeting a Singaporean firm. Mr. Kaya expressed optimism about gathering data to facilitate effective actions against these criminal organizations. The transnational collaboration and intelligence-sharing efforts among countries continue to be paramount in combating Black Axe and similar syndicates, addressing a complex web of technological sophistication and criminal innovation.

Black Axe, an organised crime syndicate originating from Nigeria, has gained notoriety for its involvement in various criminal activities, particularly cyber-crime and financial fraud. The group’s capacity to operate across borders has drawn the attention of international law enforcement agencies. The proliferation of technological advancements in finance, particularly in online money transfer and cryptocurrencies, has further augmented their operations. Interpol’s recent multi-national efforts aim to dismantle such criminal networks, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach to law enforcement.

Operation Jackal III signifies a substantial step forward in the fight against the Black Axe mafia and its affiliates. While the operation led to numerous arrests and seizures, experts assert that addressing the root causes of crime in West Africa is essential for sustainable change. The integration of innovative technologies by law enforcement agencies presents new avenues to combat the evolving tactics of global crime syndicates, emphasizing the critical need for continued international cooperation and intelligence sharing.

Original Source: www.bbc.com