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

Mr. Alpha explained that the forecast was based on voter perceptions, the prevailing political climate, and the qualities of the candidates fielded by both major parties.

According to him, development concerns and candidate credibility were decisive factors for voters.

“We looked at what voters wanted in their constituency, the period they find themselves in, and whether the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate had the capacity to deliver. The NDC also went through a clear process to elect their candidate,” he noted.

He argued that the NPP’s strategy of selecting a so-called “popular candidate” backfired, as the results showed that popularity alone could not secure victory.

Sanity Africa Poll remained engaged with voters throughout the election period, conducting opinion surveys and releasing data at intervals.

Mr. Alpha also addressed differences between his outfit’s projections and those of Global Info Analytics, attributing the variation to sample size and intensified last-minute campaigning by both parties.

“We predicted 52.3% with a margin of plus or minus 3. Two days before the election, political operations picked up, which explained slight variances. But the key was that we called the election for the NDC, which proved accurate,” he explained.

Reflecting on the NPP’s consecutive losses in Ablekuma and Akwatia, Mr. Alpha advised the governing party to engage in serious introspection.

“The party must admit these are not normal times. They must accept polling results in good faith, reconnect with their base, and understand why voters are reacting differently. Until they reflect and adjust, regaining trust will be difficult,” he cautioned.

He concluded that the Electoral Commission’s declared results underscored the gap between perception and reality, urging the NPP to change its approach to rebuild public confidence.

source: myjoyonline