The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested nine suspects in Nigeria and seized 53 electronic devices during an operation targeting international cybercrime networks accused of stealing billions of dollars from Americans.   The operation, code-named Operation Blackout, also led to the identification of $11 million in funds that could potentially be frozen across multiple countries. Kash Patel, FBI director, disclosed the development in a statement published on his official X account on Sunday. Patel said the operation targeted scam centres and international cybercriminal networks accused of exploiting victims and stealing their life savings. “Operation Blackout is taking the fight directly to the international cybercriminal networks stealing billions from Americans,” he said. He added that the networks operated across international borders, believing they were beyond the reach of law enforcement. Patel commended Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their partners in London for their cooperation during the operation. The FBI director also vowed to prosecute criminals who target Americans from other countries. Previous Cases Involving Nigerians The latest operation comes amid a series of international investigations involving Nigerians accused of cybercrime and online fraud. In September, South African authorities handed over six Nigerians to FBI officials over allegations that they defrauded more than 100 women through romance scams. In August, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) extradited two Nigerians to the United States over allegations of online sexual exploitation and sextortion involving two teenage boys who later died by suicide. In August 2025, the FBI also arrested 22 Nigerians allegedly linked to financially motivated sextortion schemes associated with a rise in suicides among American teenagers. The latest arrests highlight continued cooperation between Nigerian and international law enforcement agencies in efforts to tackle cybercrime across borders.