Interpol operation nabs 300 with links to West African cyber fraud

A three-month global operation against West African organized crime groups netted 300 arrests and the seizure of $3 million in assets, Interpol announced Tuesday. 

Operation Jackal III involved law enforcement agencies across 21 countries and followed two previous annual efforts targeting West African groups involved in online financial fraud, especially the infamous Nigeria-based Black Axe gang. Authorities blocked 720 bank accounts as part of the operation, which took place from April 10 until early July.

In Argentina, after a five-year investigation authorities reportedly dismantled a “Nigerian-led” criminal network which had inflicted “significant financial losses” on more than 160 victims. Police arrested 72 suspects there, froze about 100 bank accounts and seized $1.2 million in counterfeit banknotes. 

According to Interpol, the network’s money mules opened bank accounts around the world. It is being investigated in over 40 countries. 

“The volume of financial fraud stemming from West Africa is alarming and increasing,” said Isaac Oginni, director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. “This operation’s results underscore the critical need for international law enforcement collaboration to combat these extensive criminal networks.”

Portuguese police also dismantled a Nigerian network that recruited money mules to launder funds from online financial fraud victims across Europe. Seized computers and phones turned up evidence of transfers to Nigerian bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions and money laundering operations.  

In October 2022, Interpol announced the arrests of 75 people with suspected Black Axe ties. Since its founding in 1977, the Benin City-based group has expanded into a global enterprise involved in cyber fraud, human trafficking and drug smuggling. In August 2023, Interpol announced another 103 arrests across 21 countries targeting Black Axe and other West African organized crime groups.