Fact-check · Oct 21, 2026
“Seized over $17,000,000,000 from these scam compound fraud centers”
TRUE
What the record shows
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on October 13, 2026, that Operation Blackout has seized roughly $17 billion in assets and cryptocurrency from overseas scam compounds targeting Americans.
FBI's official announcement confirms the $17 billion seizure figure. The amount includes approximately $15 billion from the Prince Group forfeiture plus additional seizures from other Operation Blackout operations.
Sources
- FBI on X: "OPERATION BLACKOUT: This FBI’s global scam center demolition continues to deliver outstanding results. 🔺Roughly $17 BILLION in assets and crypto seized 🔺Hundreds of alleged scammers arrested 🔺Thousands of trafficked workers freed 🔺10,000+ Americans warned before losing their money… / X
- FBI Dismantles Scam Center in Ghana and Seizes 300+ Devices in Operation Blackout
- FBI Director Kash Patel Claims ‘Operation Blackout’ Recovered $17B From Scammers Targeting the Elderly
- FBI's Operation Blackout Dismantles Scammers Operating Overseas Targeting Americans
- FBI’s Operation Blackout Takes Down Overseas Scammers Targeting Americans
- FBI Seizes $17B in Scam Centers Under Operation Blackout
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