Fifty-eight individuals suspected of belonging to organised West African cybercrime syndicates have been detained following a major international police operation spanning 22 countries across six continents.
Known as Operation Jackal IV, the campaign was led by Interpol and focused on criminal networks accused of carrying out romance fraud, fake investment schemes and other forms of online financial crime.
Investigators also identified 263 people believed to be connected to the activities.
Interpol said the operation highlighted the growing international reach of groups such as Nigeria’s notorious Black Axe network, which is suspected of contributing significantly to technology-driven financial offences.
Authorities also uncovered the increasing use of sextortion against young people, with some victims reportedly as young as 14.
The investigation ran from November 2025 to June 2026 and examined the methods used by the syndicates to move illicit proceeds, including cryptocurrency fraud and business email compromise.
According to Interpol, many victims were retirees living in English-speaking nations.
Tomonobu Kaya, director of Interpol’s financial crime centre, said tracing illegal money transfers across national borders was crucial to weakening criminal organisations.
He said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of countries working together to disrupt international crime.
Interpol assisted participating law-enforcement agencies through intelligence exchanges, coordination between countries and specialist training on financial investigations.
Although inquiries are continuing, authorities reported arrests in countries including Argentina, Italy, Romania and South Africa.
In Johannesburg, South African investigators raided seven locations allegedly connected to a group involved in fraudulent romantic relationships and bogus investment opportunities.
The country’s police arrested 39 suspects, recovered about $2.67 million and placed restrictions on 257 bank accounts believed to be connected to the criminal activities.
Interpol said the networks were involved in crimes beyond online fraud, including serious offences involving violence.
Jackal IV follows a series of similar international operations launched in 2022.
The third campaign, conducted in 2024, resulted in about 300 arrests involving Black Axe and related organisations.
Black Axe is an underground criminal organisation accused of involvement in human trafficking, prostitution and violent killings in different parts of the world.
Nigeria remains a major recruitment centre for the group, with some recruits reportedly drawn from university communities and initiated while still pursuing their studies.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong