Interpol Targets West African Organised Crime, 300 Arrested and $3 Million Seized

In a sweeping global operation against West African organised crime syndicates, Interpol announced on Tuesday that police forces across five continents have arrested 300 individuals, seized $3 million, and blocked 720 bank accounts. The operation, named Jackal III, ran from April 10 to July 3 and involved law enforcement agencies from 21 countries.

Operation Jackal III was launched to combat online financial fraud and dismantle the criminal networks behind it, with a particular focus on West African syndicates. Isaac Oginni, Director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), emphasised the growing threat posed by these networks. “The volume of financial fraud stemming from West Africa is alarming and increasing,” he said. “This operation’s results underscore the critical need for international law enforcement collaboration to combat these extensive criminal networks.”

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One of the primary targets of the operation was Black Axe, a notorious West African criminal syndicate involved in cyber fraud, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent crimes. Black Axe has been under investigation in over 40 countries for money laundering activities, utilising money mules to open bank accounts globally.

The operation’s extensive reach was evident as it resulted in the identification of over 400 additional suspects. In Argentina, the Federal Police dismantled a major Nigerian-led transnational criminal network after a five-year investigation, seizing $1.2 million in counterfeit banknotes, arresting 72 suspects, and freezing approximately 100 bank accounts. The network had caused significant financial losses to over 160 victims, some of whom were forced to sell their homes or take out large loans.

In Switzerland, police seized over a kilogram of cocaine and approximately €45,000 in cash, arresting multiple suspects linked to West African crime syndicates. Similarly, Portuguese police dismantled a Nigerian network involved in recruiting money mules and laundering funds from online financial fraud victims across Europe, identifying more than 25 syndicate members in the process.

Diego Verdun, Head of Argentina’s National Central Bureau, highlighted the significance of the operation, stating, “Operation Jackal is a crucial step forward in combating West African online financial fraud and clearly demonstrates that cybercriminals cannot escape the watchful eye of Interpol’s 196 member countries.”

Interpol played a critical role in supporting the operation by providing real-time access to its databases, facilitating the identification of criminals, and assisting with intelligence exchange. The operation mobilised police forces, financial intelligence units, asset recovery offices, and private sector partners from countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

By tracing illegal money trails and coordinating efforts worldwide, Operation Jackal III has dealt a significant blow to West African organised crime syndicates, demonstrating the power of international collaboration in tackling financial fraud and criminal networks.

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Source: Interpol