FBI Arrests Nine Suspects in Nigeria Over Alleged Scam Centre Operations

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested nine suspects in connection with alleged scam centre operations in Nigeria, according to a statement by FBI Director Kash Patel.

Patel disclosed the arrests on Monday, October 26, saying authorities had also identified $11 million in potentially freezable funds across multiple countries as part of the wider operation.

According to the FBI director, the suspects allegedly operated scam centres in Nigeria and targeted victims through fraudulent activities that caused financial losses.

Patel said the operations exploited innocent people, stole their life savings and operated across international borders, with those involved believing they could evade law enforcement.

“They’re wrong,” Patel said, warning that authorities were pursuing individuals linked to the alleged schemes.

The FBI director also thanked Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their partners in London for what he described as outstanding cooperation in the operation.

The statement did not identify the nine suspects, specify the locations of the alleged scam centres in Nigeria or provide details about the individual cases.

It also did not clarify whether the $11 million in potentially freezable funds had been frozen or seized. The amount was described as funds identified across multiple countries, rather than money recovered directly from the Nigerian suspects.

The arrests highlight cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies in efforts to investigate alleged cyber-enabled fraud. Further details about the suspects and possible court proceedings were not included in the statement cited in the report.