Interpol has arrested 260 suspects across 14 African countries in a sweeping operation targeting online romance and extortion scams that defrauded more than 1,400 victims of nearly $2.8 million.
The international crackdown, reported by DW Africa, exposes the growing scale of digital fraud schemes preying on vulnerable individuals worldwide.
In Ghana, 68 suspects were arrested, 835 devices confiscated, and 108 victims identified. Investigators uncovered losses of USD 450,000, with USD 70,000 already recovered. The suspects allegedly used stolen images, fake identities, and fabricated profiles to trick victims. Payments were extracted through schemes such as fictitious courier and customs fees. In cases of sextortion, criminals secretly recorded intimate video chats and used them to blackmail victims.
Senegalese authorities arrested 22 suspects linked to a network that impersonated celebrities and exploited emotional manipulation on dating platforms and social media. At least 120 victims lost around USD 34,000. Police seized 65 electronic devices, forged IDs, and money transfer records.
In Côte d’Ivoire, police dismantled a major cybercrime ring that lured victims with fake online profiles. After deceiving them into sharing intimate photos, the group blackmailed victims for money to avoid public exposure. Twenty-four suspects were arrested, 29 devices seized, and a staggering 809 victims identified.
Angola also recorded eight arrests linked to scams that targeted 28 victims both domestically and abroad. The perpetrators used fraudulent documents and fabricated identities to mask their operations and extort money.
Interpol stressed that the operation demonstrates the global scale of online romance fraud, which exploits trust, emotions, and personal vulnerabilities to drain victims financially. The agency pledged to step up cross-border cooperation and intelligence-sharing to dismantle the criminal networks behind these schemes.
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