In a global crackdown, police forces across 21 countries collaborated in a series of covert operations known as Operation Jackal III, targeting the notorious West African criminal network, Black Axe. The operation, which took place between April and July 2024, resulted in the arrest of 300 individuals connected to Black Axe and related groups. Coordinated by Interpol, the mission dealt a significant blow to the Nigerian crime syndicate, although Interpol warned that the group's global influence and technological sophistication remain a substantial threat.

A notable example of Black Axe's operations was uncovered in Canada in 2017, where authorities dismantled a money-laundering scheme valued at over $5 billion. Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at Interpol's Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, described Black Axe as highly organized and structured, responsible for the majority of cyber-enabled financial fraud worldwide. Kaya also noted that the group's adoption of new technologies, such as money-transfer software and cryptocurrency, has facilitated their multi-million dollar online scams.

The years-long planning for Operation Jackal III led to the seizure of $3 million in illegal assets and the freezing of over 700 bank accounts. Many members of Black Axe are university-educated and recruited during their schooling. The organization, known for its secrecy, is involved in various illicit activities, including trafficking, prostitution, and murder, with cybercrime being its primary revenue source.

Since 2022, multiple "Jackal" operations have taken place, leading to numerous arrests and the seizure of electronic devices. These efforts have allowed Interpol to compile an extensive intelligence database, now shared across its 196 member countries. Despite these successes, experts like Dr. Oluwole Ojewale from the Institute for Security Studies argue that more emphasis should be placed on prevention rather than merely conducting operations against these criminal groups.

Nigeria, a key recruitment ground for Black Axe, faces significant challenges, including widespread poverty and corruption. Although Interpol is training Nigerian police and stakeholders, allegations of collusion between Black Axe and local authorities persist. Dr. Ojewale pointed out that politicians are often responsible for

arming these criminal groups, exacerbating the pressures that lead individuals to join Black Axe. The general failure of governance in Nigeria has contributed to the group's expansion and recruitment.

Interpol's Jackal Operations have their roots in Ireland, where in 2020, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) conducted a series of raids, arresting several Black Axe members and uncovering a much broader network. According to Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the GNECB, the amount of money being laundered through Ireland was staggering. He noted that €200 million had been stolen online in Ireland over the past five years, though this likely represents only 20% of reported cybercrimes.

The increasing role of cryptocurrency in Black Axe's money-laundering operations was highlighted during Irish police operations in November 2023, which resulted in the seizure of over €1 million in crypto-assets. In response to these evolving tactics, Interpol has introduced new technology, including the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments system (I-GRIP), which enables authorities in member countries to freeze bank accounts worldwide with unprecedented speed. This system was recently used to prevent a $40 million scam targeting a Singaporean business.

Interpol is now focused on gathering and sharing intelligence on Black Axe and other West African syndicates, emphasizing that comprehensive data collection is essential for effective action against these criminal networks.