An international law enforcement operation targeting West African organised crime networks has resulted in 58 arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars in suspected illicit assets, according to details provided in the report.
The operation, identified as Operation Jackal IV, reportedly involved law enforcement agencies across 22 countries and focused on criminal networks accused of cyber-enabled financial fraud, money laundering, extortion and other transnational offences.
The latest operation builds on previous INTERPOL-led actions against Black Axe and similar West African organised crime groups. Earlier Operation Jackal operations resulted in significant arrests and the blocking of hundreds of bank accounts linked to suspected criminal proceeds.
The operation focused on criminal syndicates linked to a range of financial crimes, including business email compromise, romance scams, investment fraud and extortion.
Investigators also examined emerging forms of cybercrime, including sextortion and the use of underground online services to facilitate money laundering.
INTERPOL has previously described Black Axe as a prominent West African transnational organised crime syndicate involved in cyber-enabled financial fraud and other serious offences, with criminal proceeds sometimes channelled into activities such as drug trafficking and human trafficking.
South Africa reportedly accounted for a significant portion of the latest arrests, with local law enforcement supported by an INTERPOL operational team.
Authorities seized suspected criminal assets, froze financial accounts and gathered digital evidence expected to assist investigators in identifying additional members of the networks.
The use of digital devices and financial intelligence has become increasingly important in international investigations into West African cybercrime networks. During previous Operation Jackal operations, investigators recovered information from computers and mobile phones that revealed international money transfers, cryptocurrency transactions and sophisticated money-laundering arrangements.
Operation Jackal has become a recurring international effort aimed at disrupting the financial infrastructure of West African organised crime groups.
The 2023 operation, for example, involved 21 countries and resulted in 103 arrests, more than €2.15 million seized or frozen and 208 bank accounts blocked.
Operation Jackal III in 2024 produced even larger enforcement results, with approximately 300 arrests, more than 400 additional suspects identified and over 720 bank accounts blocked across 21 countries.
The latest crackdown underscores the growing emphasis by international law enforcement agencies on following criminal money trails and disrupting the financial networks that sustain organised crime.
Authorities involved in the operation are expected to continue analysing seized financial records, electronic devices and other evidence as investigations into the wider networks continue.