Ireland’s Black Axe Crime Bust: Exposing Global Risks in Gambling and Finance

_{High Flyers Caught Using Mobiles to Commit Online Fraud. (Image: Rawpixel Ltd/Alamy)}

In May 2020, detectives acting on a warrant arrived at a modest apartment in north Dublin, seeking a mobile phone linked to a €1.1 million fraud. A company in Rotterdam, Holland had fallen victim to a forged email originating from the device. With the help of Gardaí and Europol, the phone was traced to a seemingly ordinary third-level student of Nigerian heritage. Outwardly, he appeared to be a successful young man, studying computer science and driving a €16,000 car, but beneath this veneer lay a web of deceit, touching the casino industry with cash being used to pay off gambling debts.

Expansive Network of Money Launderers Span the Globe

The Irish Independent ran the story, and  the mobile phone revealed a disturbing reality: it was a gateway into an expansive network of money launderers and international scams. This included not only the Dutch fraud but also confirmed the presence of the notorious Nigerian crime syndicate, the Black Axe, operating in Ireland. Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) highlighted the phone's significance, suggesting it marked a turning point in understanding the crime landscape in Ireland.

Money from Cybercrime Used to Pay Off Gambling Debts

While GNECB had been investigating a group of 12 Italians who were opening multiple bank accounts in Dublin, they struggled to identify the local handler orchestrating the money laundering scheme. The seized phone provided crucial links, ultimately leading to Giuseppe Divicarro, a part-time fashion photographer living in Glasnevin. Divicarro had exploited the same fake utility bill as the Italians to open accounts for laundering purposes, washing over €200,000 through his accounts, allegedly to pay off debts from his gambling addiction.

Greater Need for Cybersecurity and Due Diligence Within Gambling Industry

The Irish crime bust highlights the urgent need for stronger due diligence in gambling. It Is an area we have covered in depth on casinos.com. From assumptions that there may be a link between organised crime and casinos to the rising tide of money laundering  and extraordinary large crime busts across the globe targeting gangs from Asia to Eastern Europe, Africa and South America.  

Investigation Identifies Origins of Major Crime Syndicate in Nigeria

The investigation, ignited by Europol's initial call, spiralled into a complex examination of the vast activities of one of the world's major crime syndicates. The Black Axe, having evolved from a student group in Benin, Nigeria in the 1970s, transformed into a global entity thriving on fraud and actively engaging in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other crimes. Cybercrime has emerged as its most profitable avenue, with online scams dominating their operations in Ireland, spurred by increasing vulnerabilities in the gambling industry.

Operation Skein, launched to target the Black Axe's presence in Ireland, has uncovered that at least €90 million has been laundered through Irish bank accounts linked to the gang over the past eight years. The operation has identified around 1,400 individuals with ties to the organization, revealing a concerning trend: many suspects hold higher education qualifications and professional roles, including positions in financial institutions.

Organised Crime Gangs Targeting Gamblers

As gambling addiction increasingly manifests among young adults, criminals have exploited this vulnerability. Many individuals, often students, have been enlisted as money mules, unknowingly contributing to the crime syndicate’s financial gain in exchange for easy money—only to find themselves ensnared in criminal activity, facing serious consequences.

Mr. Cryan indicated instances of individuals working in high-profile roles who have been connected with Black Axe members. The phenomenon of “insider threats” raises alarm about the vulnerabilities within various sectors, including financial institutions, potentially providing criminal organizations access to sensitive operational knowledge. The consequences of such infiltration can be severe, particularly for the gambling industry, where compromised data can facilitate financial exploitation.

Highly Educated Criminals Pose Risks to Gambling and Financial Sectors

Funmi Abimbola, a prominent figure within the Black Axe in Ireland, exemplifies this troubling trend. With multiple degrees and a position in human resources at Bank of Ireland, Abimbola’s involvement illuminates how educated professionals can become entangled in organized crime. His ability to facilitate laundering operations underscores the risk posed to the gambling and financial sectors, reiterating a pressing need for vigilance.

Experts have raised concerns over future cybercrimes as technology evolves. Criminals are increasingly employing artificial intelligence in their scams, posing additional challenges for law enforcement. The impact of these crimes has been profound, with estimates suggesting that phone and text scams alone have resulted in losses of around €300 million, a figure that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, including those predisposed to gambling issues.

Awareness and Caution Crucial Within Gambling industry

The interconnectedness of individuals engaged in online scams to organized crime networks is alarming. Every young person caught as a money mule contributes to the success of these criminal operations. The message from Gardaí remains clear: all participants in this network risk severe legal repercussions. Public awareness and caution are vital in preventing individuals from being exploited and recruited into this dangerous cycle. The gambling and financial sectors should be on their guard and educated on safeguarding their business and their customers.

In summary, the saga of rising organized crime linked to the Black Axe underscores the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities in both the gambling industry and broader society. Adequate protections must be put in place to safeguard individuals from the clutches of these global syndicates, ensuring that young people are educated about the risks of involvement in such illicit activities.