Interpol, in a recent operation conducted across 14 African countries, arrested over 260 individuals involved in cybercrime syndicates. These criminals were engaged in romance scams and sextortion, using social media and digital platforms to exploit their victims. Romance scams typically involve perpetrators developing fake online relationships to extract money, while sextortion entails blackmailing victims with intimate photos or videos.
The operation, co-ordinated by Interpol and funded by the UK, led to significant findings, including the identification of more than 1,400 victims across Ghana, Kenya, Angola, and other African countries. Victims suffered a combined loss estimated at nearly Ksh414.4 million, with the majority being older individuals, although all ages were affected.
Cybercriminals used various tactics to exploit their victims. In Ghana, where 68 individuals were arrested, authorities recovered Ksh10.36 million from scammers who extracted payments under false pretenses, such as fake courier and customs fees. These scammers also recorded intimate videos of victims during private chats, which they later used to blackmail them. The operation there also led to the seizure of 835 devices, aiding investigators in identifying 108 victims.
In Senegal, 22 individuals were arrested after a network was discovered using emotional manipulation and fake celebrity profiles to defraud victims. They targeted 120 people and stole Ksh5.03 million. The operation uncovered 65 devices and various forged documents.
In the Ivory Coast, 24 people were arrested, and police seized 29 devices while uncovering 809 victims. Scammers used fake online profiles to threaten victims with the release of intimate content unless they paid to avoid exposure. In Angola, eight arrests were made, and authorities uncovered a network that used fraudulent documents to create fake identities, facilitating financial transactions while concealing the scammers’ true identities.
Countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia also participated in the operation. Interpol’s efforts highlight the rise of online scams and their devastating impact on individuals worldwide. The global police network remains committed to dismantling cybercrime groups preying on vulnerable individuals. Cybercrime units across Africa are increasingly focused on tackling digital-enabled crimes that cause financial loss and emotional distress.
