Interpol coordinated a major operation across 14 African nations, arresting 260 people linked to online fraud and sextortion.
The suspects built fake romantic relationships to extort money or blackmail victims with intimate images.
Investigators identified over 1,400 victims who collectively lost nearly $2.8 million (€2.4 million) through these schemes.
Cyril Gout, Interpol’s acting executive director of police services, reported rising cyber-enabled crimes across the continent.
National Police Target Fraud Rings
Ghanaian authorities detained 68 suspects who used fake identities, charged shipment fees, and secretly recorded victims for blackmail.
Senegal police arrested 22 individuals who impersonated celebrities online, scamming over 100 people out of $34,000 (€29,135).
Côte d’Ivoire authorities captured 24 suspects for creating fake profiles and blackmailing victims with intimate images.
Interpol stressed that criminals exploit online platforms, causing both financial losses and psychological trauma to targets.
Interpol Strengthens Global Police Cooperation
Interpol, headquartered in Lyon, helps police forces track criminals, share intelligence, and coordinate cross-border operations.
The organisation fights cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism, financial fraud, and child exploitation worldwide.
Interpol faces rising cybercrime cases and increasing divisions among member countries while adapting to digital threats.
Officials urge nations to strengthen cooperation to counter expanding online crime networks effectively.
