Internet scams: Interpol swoops down on West Africa-based criminal networks

Internet scams: Interpol swoops down on West Africa-based criminal networks
Credit: Facebook / Interpol

An Interpol operation against West Africa-based organised crime specialising in Internet scams has led to the confiscation of over €2,000,000 and the arrest of around 100 people in various countries, Interpol announced on Tuesday in a press release.

The operation, dubbed ‘Jackal’ and targeting organised crime groups such as ‘Black Axe,’ resulted in some €2.15 million being seized or frozen. More than 1,100 suspects were identified and 103 arrested. Over 200 bank accounts were blocked.

These criminal groups, and violent, mafia-style gangs have become notorious for their depradations on the Internet: scams via company emails, love scams, inheritance scams, credit card or tax fraud, advance payment scams and money laundering.

In Portugal, for example, four investigations led to the seizure of €1.4 million. In Ireland, the operation resulted in 34 arrests.

In total, 21 countries took part in the operation: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.

‘Operation Jackal’ took place between 15 and 29 May, Interpol says. A similar operation in 2022 resulted in the seizure of €1.2 million and 75 arrests.

“The message sent to West African criminal networks is strong: wherever they hide in cyberspace, Interpol will hunt them down relentlessly,”  Isaac Kehinde Oginni, director of Interpol’s financial crime and anti-corruption centre, IFCACC, is quoted as saying in the statement.

“The illegal activities of Black Axe and similar crime syndicates will remain a priority for Interpol,” he added.


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