NewsItalian Police Arrest 30 Nigerian Black Axe Suspects

Italian Police Arrest 30 Nigerian Black Axe Suspects

BEVERLY HILLS, April 28, (THEWILL) – Italian police have carried out raids across the country, arresting some 30 people suspected of operating for the Nigerian Black Axe mafia syndicate.

Police say they face about 100 charges including drug and human trafficking, prostitution and internet fraud.

The Black Axe is one of the secret societies to have emerged from Nigeria.

The secret group surfaced in the 1970s and were originally known as the Neo Black Movement. Its founders said the group’s aim was to “liberate” the black race.

But at universities, the group no longer seems to be driven by any political ideology. Instead, Black Axe members are accused of numerous killings and sexual attacks.

According to the BBC, the gang allegedly used the Bitcoin cryptocurrency to carry out clandestine financial transactions on the dark web.

“There is evidence that the members had a direct connection with the Nigerian gang, drawing on the same vocabulary, symbols and affiliation rituals”, Italian police said.

Those arrested are accused of using Bitcoins on the dark web to buy the details of cloned credit cards, which were used for online shopping sprees.

The arrests took place in 14 provinces across the country and included the Black Axe’s alleged leader in Italy – a 35-year-old man who lived in L’Aquila, in the central Abruzzo region, Reuters news agency reported.

“This proves the ability of the judiciary and police forces to fight against old and new mafia groups which are trying to extend their criminal reach and expand their business”, Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said in a statement.

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