The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it has captured six of its most-wanted fraud suspects across four continents, reporting nearly $17bn in seizures from its global crackdown on scam networks.
FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed the developments in separate posts on his official X account on Sunday. He highlighted efforts to track international fugitives, dismantle scam centres and disrupt criminal networks targeting Americans.
According to Patel, the six fugitives spent a combined total of more than 4,000 days on the run adding that fraud cases linked to the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list involved more than $2bn.
Patel said the suspects believed they could escape American law enforcement by fleeing the United States and hiding abroad.
“They were wrong,” he wrote with the vow that the FBI and its international partners would continue pursuing people accused of defrauding Americans.
Operation Blackout Targets Global Scam Networks
In a separate update, Patel outlined the reported results of Operation Blackout. The campaign targets international scam centres and the criminal networks operating them.
He said the operation had resulted in nearly $17bn in seizures, hundreds of arrests and the rescue of thousands of trafficked workers.
The FBI director also said authorities had warned more than 10,000 Americans about potential scams before they lost money. These interventions reportedly helped prevent an estimated $670m in financial losses.
“We’re not just investigating these criminal enterprises. We’re dismantling their networks, disrupting their finances, rescuing victims, and holding those responsible accountable,” Patel said.
The operation focuses on criminal organisations that use scam centres to defraud victims through international schemes. These networks exploit digital platforms and deceptive tactics to obtain money from unsuspecting individuals.
Beyond arresting suspects, the FBI is working to disrupt the infrastructure that supports international fraud. The wider campaign has involved raids on suspected scam centres and efforts to disable online systems used to facilitate scams.
Authorities are also investigating the trafficking of people forced to work for criminal networks. The reported rescue of thousands of trafficked workers forms part of the operation’s wider focus on protecting victims.
Patel said cooperation with international law enforcement agencies remained essential. Criminal networks often operate across national borders, making joint investigations important for tracking suspects and disrupting their activities.
The FBI says it will continue pursuing those accused of targeting Americans and dismantling the networks behind the schemes.
“To every criminal organization targeting Americans: Justice will find you,” Patel added.
The figures announced by Patel highlight the reported scale of the FBI’s international campaign against fraud. The figures and operational achievements cited in this report come from the FBI director’s public statements.
