Interpol arrested 260 suspected cybercriminals in 14 African nations, marking one of the region’s largest operations against digital fraud networks targeting vulnerable internet users. The UK funded the coordinated crackdown in July and August, highlighting both the scale of online scams and the difficulty of stopping them.
Operation Contender 3.0 targeted syndicates behind romance scams and sextortion. Criminals lured victims on social media and messaging platforms, then exploited them for money. More than 1,400 victims lost nearly $2.8 million, Interpol said.
“Trust builds quickly,” said Neal Jetton, Interpol’s cybercrime director, in a BBC interview. “Then it shatters fast.” He said scams affect all ages but noted, “A lot of victims are older people.”
Authorities seized over 1,200 devices—USB drives, SIM cards, forged documents—and dismantled 81 cybercrime infrastructures. Police also traced IP addresses, domains, and online profiles used to manipulate or threaten victims.
National Breakdowns Show Widespread Abuse
Ghana was a key hub. Officials arrested 68 suspects, confiscated 835 devices, and identified 108 victims. Financial losses totaled $450,000, but $70,000 was recovered. Scammers used fake courier fees, customs charges, and secret video chats for blackmail.
In Senegal, police arrested 22 suspects who posed as celebrities on social and dating platforms. The scheme defrauded 120 people of $34,000. Investigators seized 65 devices, forged IDs, and money transfer receipts.
Ivory Coast reported 24 arrests and 809 victims in a sextortion network using fake online profiles. Authorities said the group demanded payments to keep intimate material private.
In Angola, police caught eight suspects who targeted 28 local and international victims. Fraudulent documents enabled scammers to create false identities and conceal transactions.
Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia also made arrests, seized evidence, and shared intelligence as part of the continent-wide action.
A Growing Threat, and a Difficult Fight
Cyril Gout, Interpol’s acting executive director of police services, warned that cyber-enabled crime is rising quickly in Africa.
“Across Africa, cyber units report more digital crime—especially sextortion and romance scams,” he said. “Online platforms give criminals new ways to exploit victims, causing financial and psychological harm.”
Interpol says arrests alone can’t stop scam operations. Cooperation with governments, law enforcement, and private companies is essential. The agency worked with Group-IB and Trend Micro, who provided intelligence on digital infrastructure and malicious networks.
Jetton said progress is slow due to the constant occurrence of phishing attempts and scams. “Whenever we ask about top cyber threats, countries always say online scams,” he told the BBC. “It’s very hard to fight these crimes—millions of people click on phishing emails daily.”
Editorial Takeaway
Interpol’s operation, though major, only provides a brief pause in cybercrime. The arrests reveal resilient scams that cross borders and adapt quickly. To stay ahead, African nations and partners must invest in enforcement, education, technical infrastructure, and support for victims.
Digital platforms connect people but also enable exploitation. Scam artists profit from making false promises or threatening humiliation. For operations like Contender 3.0 to be effective, they must be part of a sustained strategy that targets both the networks and the vulnerabilities they aim to exploit.
