**Interpol-led Crackdown Results in 260 Arrests in African Online Romance and Extortion Scams**
A major crackdown on cybercrime coordinated by Interpol has led to the arrest of 260 individuals across 14 African countries. These suspects are believed to be involved in online romance and extortion scams, the international police organization announced.
The operation, conducted during July and August, targeted scams where perpetrators establish online romantic relationships to extract money from victims or blackmail them using explicit images. According to Interpol, more than 1,400 victims were targeted in these scams, resulting in financial losses totaling nearly 2.8 million US dollars (approximately 2 billion CFA francs).
**Rising Threat of Digital-Enabled Crimes in Africa**
Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at Interpol, highlighted the sharp rise in digitally enabled crimes such as sextortion and romance scams across Africa. “The growth of online platforms has opened new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit victims, causing both financial loss and psychological harm,” he stated.
**Country-Specific Arrests and Charges**
– **Ghana:** Authorities arrested 68 suspects involved in romance and sextortion scams. These individuals reportedly used fake identities to trick victims into paying bogus shipment fees and secretly recorded explicit videos to blackmail them.
– **Senegal:** Police arrested 22 suspects who allegedly posed as celebrities on social media and dating platforms. They scammed over 100 people out of around 34,000 dollars (25,000 euros).
– **Ivory Coast:** Authorities apprehended 24 individuals accused of creating fake profiles to obtain intimate images from victims and subsequently blackmail them.
**Interpol’s Role in Combating International Crime**
Interpol, with its 196 member countries, is the world’s largest international police network dedicated to fighting crime globally. Headquartered in Lyon, France, the organization facilitates communication among national police forces and helps track suspects involved in various criminal activities—including counter-terrorism, financial crime, child pornography, cybercrime, and organized crime.
In recent years, Interpol has faced new challenges, including a growing caseload of cybercrime and child sex abuse cases, alongside increasing geopolitical divisions among member countries.
This latest successful operation underscores Interpol’s commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting vulnerable individuals worldwide.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/interpol-says-260-suspects-in-online-romance-scams-arrested-across-africa-1811317.html
