21/69 Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Spanish authorities, in cooperation with the Bavarian State Police and Europol, have dismantled a major cybercrime network, arresting 34 suspects linked to the notorious Black Axe criminal organization. Raids were carried out in key locations including Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona, where law enforcement seized cash, electronic devices, vehicles, and froze multiple bank accounts holding significant assets. The group has a long history of involvement in serious crimes ranging from human trafficking to cybercrime.
The network’s primary modus operandi involved Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes. The attackers infiltrated or spoofed corporate email accounts to intercept business communications and alter bank account details, tricking victims into transferring payments for goods and services to pre-arranged intermediary accounts. Investigators found that the group relied on a widespread money mule infrastructure across Europe to move and obscure illicit funds, causing total losses of more than USD 6 million (approximately EUR 5.5 million) over a 15-year period.
Four key suspects have been placed in pretrial detention, facing serious charges including ongoing fraud, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization. Black Axe is considered one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal networks, founded in 1977 and believed to have over 30,000 members worldwide. Despite previous crackdowns by INTERPOL in South Africa and the United States, the group continues to expand its cybercrime operations, highlighting the persistent and evolving threat posed by transnational organized crime.
