World’s police in technological arms race with Nigerian mafia

In a striking example of international law enforcement’s struggle against sophisticated criminal operations, Canadian authorities uncovered a major money-laundering scheme tied to the Black Axe syndicate in 2017. This operation, valued at over $5 billion (£3.8 billion), highlighted the extensive reach and organization of the criminal network.

Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, emphasized that the highly structured and organized nature of these groups. A 2022 Interpol report identified Black Axe and similar organizations as major players in global cyber-enabled financial fraud and various severe crimes. Kaya noted that advances in money-transfer technologies and cryptocurrency have significantly benefitted these groups, making it easier for them to execute multimillion-dollar scams online.

The technological advancements that have facilitated these crimes are being met with robust international efforts. Operation Jackal III, a significant law enforcement campaign, resulted in the seizure of $3 million in illegal assets and the freezing of over 700 bank accounts. Black Axe members, often university-educated and recruited during their academic years, are involved in a range of criminal activities, from trafficking and prostitution to murder. However, cybercrime remains their most lucrative source of income.

Since 2022, several Jackal operations have been carried out, leading to numerous arrests and the seizure of electronic devices, which has helped Interpol build an extensive intelligence database. This database is shared with law enforcement agencies across its 196 member countries, enhancing global cooperation against these criminal networks.

Despite these efforts, experts argue that more focus should be placed on preventative measures rather than reactive operations. Dr. Oluwole Ojewale from the Institute for Security Studies suggested that addressing the root causes of these syndicates, especially in West Africa, is crucial. Nigeria, a major recruitment ground for Black Axe, faces significant challenges, including widespread poverty and corruption. The World Bank reports that up to 87 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, a situation that exacerbates the recruitment issues.

Interpol has been working on improving training for Nigerian officials and stakeholders, but corruption and alleged collusion between Black Axe and local authorities hinder progress. Dr. Ojewale pointed out that political figures often indirectly support these criminal groups, exacerbating governance failures and driving more individuals into the ranks of Black Axe.

Interestingly, Interpol’s Jackal Operations have their roots in Ireland. In 2020, raids by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) led to the arrest of several Black Axe members and unveiled a broader network. Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the GNECB described the group’s operations as initially low-profile but noted the massive scale of money laundering through Ireland.

In Ireland alone, it is estimated that €200 million ($220 million; £170 million) has been stolen online in the past five years, representing just a fraction of reported cyber-crime. The sophistication of these crimes is evident, with bank robberies now executed via laptops rather than traditional methods. Recent Irish police operations have revealed that cryptocurrency is increasingly integral to Black Axe’s money-laundering strategies. During one raid in November 2023, over €1 million in crypto-assets were seized.

To combat these evolving threats, Interpol has introduced the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments system (I-GRIP), which allows for the rapid freezing of bank accounts globally. This technology was recently used to thwart a $40 million scam targeting a business in Singapore. Kaya believes that such advancements will significantly hinder the ability of criminals to move money across borders undetected.

The ongoing efforts by global law enforcement agencies to gather and share intelligence on Black Axe and other West African criminal syndicates underscore the seriousness of this international challenge. The integration of advanced technology and coordinated operations remains crucial in the fight against these sophisticated criminal enterprises.