In a sweeping cybercrime operation spanning 14 African countries, Interpol has arrested more than 260 individuals linked to romance scams and “sextortion” schemes. The coordinated crackdown, funded by the UK and conducted between July and August 2025, targeted criminal syndicates exploiting social media and digital platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The Scope of the Scams
Authorities identified over 1,400 victims across countries including Ghana, Kenya, Angola, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. Interpol estimates the financial losses at nearly Ksh414.4 million, with older individuals particularly vulnerable to manipulation. Victims were deceived through fabricated online relationships, blackmail using explicit imagery, and fraudulent schemes involving courier or customs fees.
Key Arrests and Seizures
- Ghana: 68 arrests, 835 devices seized, 108 victims identified. Investigators recovered Ksh10.36 million of the Ksh66.6 million lost.
- Senegal: 22 arrests, 120 victims defrauded of Ksh5.03 million. Scammers posed as celebrities online.
- Ivory Coast: 24 arrests, 29 devices seized, 809 victims identified. Blackmail was a common tactic.
- Angola: 8 arrests, 28 victims identified. Fraudulent documents and fake identities were used to conceal transactions.
In total, 81 cybercrime groups were dismantled, with USB drives, SIM cards, forged IDs, and extensive digital evidence recovered.
The Growing Threat of Online Scams
Interpol officials emphasized the rising prevalence of digitally enabled crimes across Africa. “The growth of online platforms has opened new opportunities for criminal networks,” said Cyril Gout, Interpol’s Acting Executive Director of Police Services. “These scams cause not only financial loss but also deep psychological harm.”
Neal Jetton, Interpol’s Director of Cybercrime, noted the difficulty of tackling such fraud. “It doesn’t take long before you develop a connection with somebody… and very quickly this trust is shattered,” he told the BBC.
A Continental Effort Against Cybercrime
The African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime project, which coordinated the sting, also involved Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. The arrests mark a significant step in disrupting transnational networks preying on vulnerable individuals online.
Interpol affirmed its commitment to dismantling these groups and protecting communities worldwide from the growing wave of cyber-enabled fraud.
