Mass arrests in global crackdown on West African cyber-crime networks

Fifty-eight individuals linked to organised West African cyber-crime groups have been arrested in an operation throughout 22 countries and six continents.

Key points

• South African police created 39 arrests, seized $2.67m (£1.96m) and blocked 257 bank accounts.
• In 2024, Jackal III led to the arrests of 300 individuals linked to Black Axe and other affiliated groups.
• Interpol remarked numerous aspects of Jackal IV remained under investigation but preliminary outcomes included arrests in Argentina, Italy, Romania and South Africa.
• Operation Jackal IV is one of multiple "Jackal" police operations that have taken place since 2022.
• Dubbed "Operation Jackal IV", it was co-ordinated by the global policing agency Interpol, targeting those behind romance and investment scams.

Dubbed "Operation Jackal IV", it was co-ordinated by the global policing agency Interpol, targeting those behind romance and investment scams. It additionally identified 263 suspects.

Interpol remarked it was a response to the escalating global threat posed by these criminal networks – such as the feared Nigerian Black Axe group – believed to be behind a "significant share" of cyber-enabled financial fraud.

Meanwhile, the operation additionally allowed analysis of emerging trends such as how these groups apply sextortion to target minors, with victims as young as 14. The ultra-violent cult that became a global mafia.

Operation Jackal IV – which took place between November 2025 and June 2026 – investigated how the groups laundered funds and how financial fraud cyber crimes, such as cryptocurrency and email compromise fraud, were conducted. Scams often targeted "retirees in English-speaking countries", Interpol remarked.

"By following illicit financial flows across borders, we are attacking the very lifeblood of organised crime and making it increasingly difficult for criminal networks to profit from their activities, " Tomonobu Kaya, director of Interpol's financial crime centre, remarked in an official note. "Operation Jackal IV demonstrates the power of international co-operation." During the operation, Interpol supported with cross-border co-ordination and intelligence sharing.

It additionally provided backing and specialised training for money-laundering investigations with the participating countries.

In South Africa, seven sites linked to a syndicate involved in romance and investment scams were raided.

Meanwhile, the policing agency was on scene in Johannesburg to backing local authorities during the raids.

As well as cyber-enabled fraud, the West African networks additionally participated in other serious and violent crimes, Interpol stated.

Black Axe is a shadowy criminal network with trafficking, prostitution and killing operations worldwide.

Nigeria is its main recruitment ground and plenty of of its members are university educated and inducted during their schooling. Dead in 6 hours: How Nigerian sextortion scammers targeted my son. Notorious Instagram influencer jailed for fraud. Why Nigerian cyber fraudsters are 'role models'.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

For now, mass arrests in global crackdown on West African cyber remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.