Europol, Spain Police Arrest 34 in Black Axe Raid

Europol announced the arrest of 34 individuals in Spain tied to the Black Axe criminal group after a joint crackdown with Spanish police and Bavarian authorities. The operation focused heavily on Seville, with additional arrests in Madrid, Málaga and Barcelona. Black Axe, a highly organized syndicate rooted in Nigeria, engages in cyber fraud, trafficking and other crimes, generating billions annually. Ten of the suspects are Nigerian nationals.

Authorities estimate the group caused more than €5.93 million in fraud losses. Police froze €119,352 in bank accounts and seized €66,403 in cash. The group allegedly recruited Spanish nationals as money mules, targeting areas with high unemployment to exploit vulnerable individuals.

The operation included German officers on-site and significant support from Europol, which provided intelligence coordination, data analysis and asset tracking. Black Axe maintains strict hierarchies and operates across 35 countries.

Read the full official report here:

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