Mass arrests in global crackdown on West African cyber-crime networks
The operation included the arrest of 39 people in South Africa for romance and investment scams.
A worldwide operation targeting West African cyber-crime organizations has resulted in the arrest of 58 individuals across 22 countries and six continents, according to Interpol.
The global policing agency coordinated "Operation Jackal IV," which focused on those responsible for romance and investment scams and also identified 263 suspects. Interpol stated that the operation was a response to the growing global threat posed by these criminal networks, including the notorious Nigerian Black Axe group, believed to be behind a "significant share" of cyber-enabled financial fraud.
The operation, which ran from November 2025 to June 2026, also provided insights into emerging trends, such as the use of sextortion by these groups to target minors, with victims as young as 14. Investigators examined how these groups laundered money and carried out financial fraud cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency and email compromise fraud. Interpol noted that scams frequently targeted "retirees in English-speaking countries."
Tomonobu Kaya, director of Interpol's financial crime center, stated, "By following illicit financial flows across borders, we are attacking the very lifeblood of organised crime and making it increasingly difficult for criminal networks to profit from their activities." He added, "Operation Jackal IV demonstrates the power of international co-operation."
During the operation, Interpol facilitated cross-border coordination and intelligence sharing, and provided support and specialized training for money-laundering investigations to participating countries.
While many aspects of Jackal IV remain under investigation, preliminary outcomes include arrests in Argentina, Italy, Romania, and South Africa. In South Africa, seven sites linked to a syndicate involved in romance and investment scams were raided. Interpol was present in Johannesburg to assist local authorities during these raids. South African police made 39 arrests, seized $2.67 million (£1.96 million), and froze 257 bank accounts.
Interpol also indicated that these West African networks were involved in other serious and violent crimes in addition to cyber-enabled fraud.
Operation Jackal IV is one of several "Jackal" police operations conducted since 2022. In 2024, Jackal III led to the arrests of 300 individuals linked to Black Axe and other associated groups. Black Axe is described as a clandestine criminal network involved in trafficking, prostitution, and killings globally. Nigeria serves as its primary recruitment ground, with many members being university-educated and inducted during their schooling.