300 West Africans Arrested as Interpol Widens its Net in Major Crime Crackdown Operation

In Summary

• Interpol's Operation Jackal III led to the arrest of 300 individuals, the seizure of $3 million, and the blocking of 720 bank accounts across 21 countries, targeting West African organized crime groups involved in online financial fraud.
• The operation specifically targeted groups like Black Axe, known for cyber fraud, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, with significant results including arrests and asset seizures in Argentina.
• The operation highlights the critical need for international law enforcement collaboration to combat the increasing volume of financial fraud stemming from West Africa.

Accra, Ghana- In a global operation targeting West African organized crime groups across five continents, police arrested 300 people, seized $3 million, and blocked 720 bank accounts, Interpol announced Tuesday.

Operation Jackal III, which ran from April 10 to July 3 in 21 countries, aimed to combat online financial fraud and the West African syndicates behind it.

"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."

One of the prominent groups targeted was Black Axe, known for its involvement in cyber fraud, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, as well as violent crimes within Africa and globally.

Black Axe used money mules to open bank accounts worldwide and is now under investigation in over 40 countries for related money laundering activities. The suspects include citizens from Argentina, Colombia, Nigeria, and Venezuela.

In Argentina, following a five-year investigation, police cracked down on Black Axe, seizing $1.2 million in high-quality counterfeit banknotes, arresting 72 suspects, and freezing approximately 100 bank accounts.

Interpol, which has 196 member countries and celebrated its centennial last year, assists national police forces in communicating and tracking suspects and criminals in areas such as counterterrorism, financial crime, child pornography, cybercrime, and organized crime.

Despite its extensive reach, Interpol faces new challenges, including a growing caseload of cybercrime and child sex abuse, and increasing divisions among its member countries. Interpol had a total budget of about 176 million euros ($188 million) last year, compared to more than 200 million euros at the European Union's police agency, Europol, and some $11 billion at the FBI in the United States.