Swiss authorities have arrested suspected members of the Nigeria-linked Black Axe criminal network in a crackdown on romance scams and cyber fraud, according to Europol.
In a statement on Tuesday, Europol said the suspects are accused of running large-scale online fraud schemes that caused losses amounting to millions of Swiss francs. The alleged offences include romance scams—where victims are deceived into sending money under false pretences—as well as broader cybercrime and money laundering activities.
The operation, carried out in Switzerland with support from German police, resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals, most of whom are reported to be of Nigerian origin.
Black Axe, which traces its roots to the Neo Black Movement of Africa founded as a student fraternity in the late 1970s, has since developed into a transnational criminal organisation. Authorities say it is now heavily involved in financial cybercrime and other illicit activities.
Tuesday’s arrests follow a series of international efforts targeting the group. Spanish police conducted a similar operation earlier this year, while Interpol has also led previous crackdowns, including a global operation in 2023 aimed at dismantling its networks.