The coordinated operation, codenamed Operation Contender 3.0, focused on dismantling criminal networks behind romance scams and sextortion schemes, which defrauded at least 1,463 victims worldwide of more than $2.8 million.

According to INTERPOL, police tracked digital footprints including IP addresses, domains, and fake social media accounts linked to the suspects. The operation also led to the shutdown of 81 cybercrime infrastructures and the seizure of over 1,200 electronic devices continent-wide.

Ghana’s Key Role

Ghana’s involvement was particularly significant. Authorities:

• Arrested 68 suspects

• Seized 835 devices

• Identified 108 victims

• Uncovered $450,000 in financial losses, with $70,000 recovered so far

INTERPOL’s report noted that the scammers relied on fake profiles, stolen images, and forged identities to trick victims into paying bogus courier or customs fees. In sextortion cases, criminals secretly recorded explicit video chats and used them to blackmail victims.

Widespread Cybercrime Patterns

Other African nations also reported major arrests:

• Senegal: 22 suspects posing as celebrities defrauded 120 victims of about $34,000.

• Côte d’Ivoire: 24 arrests linked to blackmail scams involving intimate images, with 809 victims identified.

• Angola: 8 suspects used fraudulent documents and fake identities to target victims online.

INTERPOL’s Warning

Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL, warned of the rising threat:

“Cybercrime units across Africa are reporting a sharp rise in sextortion and romance scams. The growth of online platforms has created new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit victims, causing both financial loss and psychological harm.”

He stressed that collaboration between INTERPOL, its member states, and private partners like Group-IB and Trend Micro was vital in enabling swift enforcement and large-scale takedowns.

source: Myjoyonline