Nine people have been arrested in Nigeria in connection with an international investigation into cybercrime schemes targeting victims in the United States, according to Clearer View Blog.

The arrests were made under an operation identified as Operation Blackout, which reportedly yielded 53 electronic devices and uncovered about $11 million in assets across several countries that could potentially be frozen.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation was aimed at disrupting organised scam networks that exploit victims across borders. He accused the groups of depriving innocent people of their savings while relying on the difficulty of coordinating law enforcement efforts between countries.

Patel praised Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their partners in London for their role in the operation, stressing that cross-border cooperation remained important in tackling international financial fraud.

He added that the investigation and related enforcement efforts would continue, while Nigerian authorities would handle the prosecution of offences under domestic law. Patel also issued a warning to cybercriminals operating from abroad that geographical distance would not shield them from prosecution.