Mass arrests in global crackdown on West African cyber-crime networks
Fifty-eight people linked to organised West African cyber-crime groups have been arrested in an operation across 22 countries and six continents.
In an extensive global operation dubbed "Operation Jackal IV," Interpol has arrested 58 individuals linked to organized cyber-crime groups across 22 countries and six continents. The operation, which took place between November 2025 and June 2026, targeted those behind romance and investment scams, and also identified 263 suspects.
Interpol's Director of the Financial Crime Centre, Tomonobu Kaya, highlighted the operation's success in attacking the financial backbone of organized crime and making it increasingly difficult for these networks to profit from their activities. The operation also shed light on emerging trends such as the use of sextortion to target minors, with victims as young as 14.
South Africa made significant strides during the operation, with seven sites linked to a syndicate involved in romance and investment scams being raided, leading to 39 arrests, the seizure of $2.67m, and the blocking of 257 bank accounts.
Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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