Europol Leads Global Crackdown on Black Axe Cybercrime Gang, 34 Arrested

Almost three dozen suspects linked to the Black Axe cybercriminal group were arrested in a coordinated Europol-supported operation across Spain, with €119,352 frozen in bank accounts and €66,403 seized in cash; authorities estimate the group’s Spanish activities caused nearly €6 million in fraud. Black Axe, which originated in West Africa and maintains international reach, conducts business email compromise, phishing, romance scams, extortion and money-laundering using recruited money mules; the operation aimed to disrupt their cross-border criminal activity and seize assets.