Tuesday, September 15, 2026

FBI hunting Nigerians, others stealing from Americans; $17 billion recovered, 100 fraudsters charged: Director 

Mr Patel spoke during senate oversight hearing on Tuesday.

• September 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, said on Tuesday that the FBI is taking anti-graft war to Nigeria and other part of the world, citing massive fund recovery and indictment of arrested fraudsters.

Mr Patel during senate oversight hearing on Tuesday, highlighted the achievements of fhe FBI under his watch, including how the anti-graft agency was going after international fraudsters robbing Americans of their monies.

“Fraudsters are stealing from Americans at home and operating scam centers around the world. This FBI is taking the fight to them,” Mr Patel said .

Highlighting some of the achievements of the FBI, the anti-graft czar said “about 100 people indicted and charged, 6 Most Wanted Fraudsters captured in three months.”

The FBI Czar stated, “$2 billion+ in fraud tied to those fugitives, $17 billion in fraud, crypto, and cash seized, while 4 joint overseas operations in 18 months” have been executed and $1 billion in fraud prevented through Operation Level Up.”

He added, “through Operation Blackout, we’re hitting scam centers at the source – freeing trafficked workers, collecting evidence, cutting communications, and working with partners to shut these criminal operations down.”

Mr Patel’s statement trailed FBI crackdown on internet, wire and romance fraudsters across the globe. 

In Nigeria, some Yahoo Boys have been extradited to face trial in the U.S. for their involvement in wire fraud in recent months.

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