Over 100 Internet Scammers Arrested In Cross-border Investigation In West Africa With Nigerian Criminal Gang, ‘Black Axe’ Targeted —Interpol

A cross-border investigation into West African criminal groups scamming internet users has resulted in more than 100 arrests.

The operation also led to the seizure of over 2 million euros, Interpol said on Tuesday.

Interpol in a statement on Tuesday said the investigation, dubbed “Operation Jackal”, was led by law enforcement agencies in May across 21 countries in six continents and targeted cybercrime groups such as Nigerian criminal gang “Black Axe”.

“No matter where they hide in cyberspace, INTERPOL will pursue them relentlessly,” Isaac Kehinde Oginni, director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-corruption Centre (IFCACC), said of the criminal groups, according to a report by Reuters.

Between 15 and 29 May, 2.15 million euros were frozen or seized, 103 people were arrested, 1,110 suspects were identified and 208 bank accounts were blocked.

A similar operation took place in 2022 and resulted in the interception of 1.2 million euros and 75 arrests.