The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has announced the arrest of 58 people and the identification of 263 suspects following an eight-month international operation targeting organised crime networks linked to West Africa.
Known as Operation Jackal IV, the operation was conducted between November 2025 and June 2026 across 22 countries. It focused on cyber-enabled financial fraud, money laundering, romance scams, investment fraud, business email compromise and other serious crimes.
According to INTERPOL, the operation targeted criminal networks, including Black Axe and similar groups, which have been linked to a wide range of financial crimes operating across international borders.
The agency said the networks have increasingly exploited digital platforms and financial technologies to defraud victims and move illicit funds. Their activities include cryptocurrency scams, romance fraud, investment schemes and business email compromise.
INTERPOL also uncovered evidence of organised crime groups becoming involved in sextortion targeting minors, highlighting the expanding nature of crimes associated with these networks.
Tomonobu Kaya, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, said the operation demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in disrupting criminal organisations.
“Operation Jackal IV demonstrates the power of international cooperation,” Kaya said, noting that tracing illicit financial flows across borders could weaken the financial foundations of organised crime.
INTERPOL provided participating countries with intelligence-sharing support, financial analysis, operational assistance and specialised training throughout the operation.
Major arrests and seizures
In South Africa, authorities raided seven locations in Johannesburg linked to a syndicate accused of running romance and investment scams targeting retirees in English-speaking countries.
The investigation led to the arrest of 39 suspects, while authorities seized about $2.67 million, blocked 257 bank accounts and launched further financial investigations into the network.
INTERPOL said its operational support team assisted South African investigators in analysing seized digital information, identifying suspects and mapping criminal networks.
In Romania, authorities dismantled another network allegedly operating an investment scam through a call centre. Victims were reportedly promised high returns on investments in stocks and cryptocurrencies before their funds were transferred into electronic wallets controlled by the suspects.
The scheme is estimated to have stolen and laundered about €143 million globally. Romanian authorities arrested 11 people and seized approximately €330,000 in cash and cryptocurrency, six properties and several luxury watches.
In Argentina, investigators identified 196 people allegedly connected to a major “Crime-as-a-Service” network suspected of supplying website domains and money-laundering services to West African criminal groups. The operation resulted in 17 arrests.
Meanwhile, Italian investigators identified a suspect allegedly connected to a pan-European money-laundering network that used shell companies, remittance services and cash withdrawals to disguise criminal proceeds.
INTERPOL said one bank account was used to launder approximately €845,000 through 560 transactions involving 20 financial instruments.
Sextortion targeting minors
INTERPOL said one of the most disturbing trends uncovered during the operation was the growing use of sextortion against minors.
In some cases, victims as young as 14 were identified. Criminals reportedly contacted young people through social media, developed relationships with them and persuaded them to share explicit images or videos.
The perpetrators would then allegedly threaten to distribute the material to the victims’ relatives, friends or other contacts unless money was paid.
The organisation warned that the development shows how organised crime groups are expanding into new forms of digital exploitation.
INTERPOL also found that some criminal groups were purchasing Crime-as-a-Service from external providers, often through the dark web. These services can include money laundering, digital infrastructure and other specialised support needed to operate fraudulent schemes.
22 countries involved
Law enforcement agencies from 22 countries participated in Operation Jackal IV. They included Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Austria.
INTERPOL said investigations arising from the operation remain ongoing and that the number of arrests and identified suspects could increase as authorities continue analysing seized digital evidence and financial records.
The organisation said the operation forms part of its broader strategy of dismantling organised crime by targeting not only criminals themselves but also the financial systems, digital infrastructure and service providers that enable their activities.
