34 arrested in Ireland as part of Interpol operation targeting West African crime syndicate

The arrests  took place in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Longford

Interpol agents in Lisbon where Portugese authorities arrested four suspects as part of Operation Jackal, and seized €5,000 in cash. Picture Interpol

Thirty-four people were arrested in Ireland between May 15 and May 29 as part of an Interpol Operation targeting the West African crime syndicate Black Axe.

A violent, mafia-style gang, Black Axe is involved in cyber-enabled financial fraud. The group has been known to use business email compromise schemes, romance scams, inheritance scams, credit card fraud, tax fraud, and advance payment scams to extort money from victims.

They are also involved in money laundering and are believed to use a large network of up to 4,000 money mules to launder the proceeds of their crimes. Last October, gardaí estimated that the group have laundered up to €64m through Ireland.

Between May 15 and May 29, Interpol agents in 21 countries commenced an operation targeting Black Axe and associated crime groups. More than 208 bank accounts suspected of being used by the group were blocked, with more €2.15m seized.

Cards and cash seized from a money mule detected using 8 different ATM machines in Ireland to make illicit withdrawals. Picture: Interpol

103 people were apprehended as part of the operation, with 34 of the arrests taking place in Ireland — 12 for investigative purposes and 22 for money laundering and gangland-style offences.

The Irish searches and detentions, were co-ordinated by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) and included assistance from local Garda units across the country.

The arrests for charging took place in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Longford. 

As part of Operation Jackal, which is referred to as Operation Skein in Ireland, gardaí:

• Searched 3 premises in Dublin, Wicklow and Longford;
• arrested and detained nine persons under organised crime legislation;
• arrested and detained four persons for money laundering; offences; 
• Arrested and charged 33 persons for money laundering;
• arrested and charged one person with gangland offences and money laundering;
• recovered stolen money from nine foreign bank accounts;
• and recovered more than €400,000 of monies stolen from Irish companies.

Interpol: Further arrests and prosecutions likely

In five criminal cases involving Irish companies, the Interpol operation was able to recover €225,655 from other jurisdictions.

In Portugal, four investigations resulted in the accumulated seizure and recovery of almost €1.4m.

Interpol says it has identified 1,110 suspected Black Axe members and that more arrests and prosecutions are likely.

Deputy Head of the National Central Bureau in Dublin Tony Kelly said: "It became apparent early in the investigation that international cooperation and the use of Interpol’s analytical and coordination capabilities was essential to the investigation, and remains a pivotal element to the success to date and the ongoing investigation into this group."

GNECB Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan said the 34 persons arrested and charged as part of the operation were involved in money laundering. 

"These persons were facilitating the criminal activities of organised crime groups, by allowing their bank accounts to be used to move criminally gained money," he said.

"They also facilitated and contributed to the theft of money from other individuals and companies. This is a crime. These persons face a criminal conviction and the long term impacts of such a conviction.”

Interpol said it was committed to working with its member countries to "deprive these groups of their ill-gotten assets."

"This successful operation involving so many countries clearly shows what can be achieved through international cooperation, and will serve as a blueprint for concerted police action against financial crime in the future," said Isaac Kehinde Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC).

Interpol pledged to "relentlessly" pursue West African crime networks "no matter where they hide in cyberspace.

"The illegal activities of Black Axe and similar crimes syndicates will remain a priority for Interpol,” Mr Kehinde Oginni added.