A global policing effort coordinated by Interpol has resulted in the arrest of 58 individuals linked to organized West African cyber-crime groups. The initiative, titled "Operation Jackal IV," spanned 22 countries across six continents and focused on dismantling networks responsible for widespread romance and investment scams.
Conducted between November 2025 and June 2026, the operation also led to the identification of 263 additional suspects. Authorities investigated how these criminal entities laundered money and executed various forms of financial fraud, including email compromise and cryptocurrency-related schemes.
Interpol noted that these scams frequently targeted retirees living in English-speaking nations.
Tomonobu Kaya, director of Interpol's financial crime centre, stated that by tracking illicit financial flows across international borders, authorities are targeting the "lifeblood" of organized crime, making it increasingly difficult for these networks to profit.
The operation facilitated significant intelligence sharing, cross-border coordination, and specialized training for participating countries to better combat money laundering.
While many aspects of the investigation remain ongoing, preliminary results included arrests in Italy, Romania, South Africa, and Argentina. In South Africa, local police conducted raids on seven sites associated with a syndicate involved in investment and romance fraud.
These efforts resulted in 39 arrests, the seizure of $2.67m (£1.96m), and the blocking of 257 bank accounts, with Interpol providing on-site support in Johannesburg.
Beyond financial fraud, the operation shed light on emerging criminal trends, including the use of sextortion tactics to target minors as young as 14. Interpol emphasized that these West African networks are also involved in other serious and violent crimes.
Operation Jackal IV follows a series of "Jackal" initiatives dating back to 2022, including the 2024 Jackal III operation, which resulted in 300 arrests linked to the Black Axe criminal network and its affiliates.
Black Axe is known for global operations in trafficking, prostitution, and violence, with Nigeria serving as its primary recruitment base where members are often inducted during their university education.
Fifty-eight people linked to organised West African cyber-crime groups have been arrested in an operation across 22 countries and six continents.
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