Spain arrests dozens of suspected 'Black Axe' ring members

Spanish police arrested 34 people in a nationwide operation against the 'Black Axe' network, with Europol saying suspects face charges including fraud, money laundering and document forgery.

Spanish police arrested dozens of people in a nationwide operation linked to the group known as Black Axe. Europol said the action targeted an international network accused of cyber-enabled financial crime. Authorities coordinated the operation with German counterparts as part of a wider investigation. Key facts: - Europol reported that 34 people were arrested in the operation. - Arrests took place across several Spanish provinces, from Seville to Barcelona, and were coordinated with authorities in Germany. - Suspects are accused of fraud, money laundering and document forgery, and investigators estimate losses of more than 5.9 million euros. - Europol said the network recruited vulnerable individuals as money mules in areas with high unemployment. Summary: The arrests reflect a coordinated cross-border law enforcement effort against alleged cyber-enabled financial crime. Undetermined at this time.