In a significant international crackdown, Spanish authorities have arrested 34 alleged members of the notorious confraternity, with at least 10 of those detained identified as Nigerian nationals.
The operation, coordinated by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with Europol and the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office of Germany, targeted the group across multiple cities. Arrests were carried out in Seville (28), Madrid (3), Málaga (2), and Barcelona (1).
According to a Europol statement released on Friday, the suspects are accused of orchestrating large-scale fraud schemes causing financial damages estimated at over €5.93 million. During raids, police froze €119,352 in bank accounts and seized €66,403 in cash.
Europol described as a highly structured, Nigeria-originated criminal organisation with a global network spanning dozens of countries. The agency highlighted the group’s involvement in a wide range of illicit activities, including cyber-enabled fraud, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and human trafficking.
“The group enforces strict codes of conduct, violent and ritualistic initiations,” the statement noted, estimating the syndicate’s annual illicit proceeds to be in the billions of euros.
The cross-border operation aimed to disrupt the group’s financial infrastructure and recruitment of money mules across Europe.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on official statements from Europol and Spanish police. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The mention of nationality is for informational purposes based on the official release.
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