In a significant victory against online crime, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has announced the success of Operation Jackal III, a six-month operation targeting West African syndicates involved in online financial fraud. The operation, conducted across 21 countries on five continents, has led to a major crackdown on fraudulent activities.
The operation resulted in the blocking of over 720 bank accounts linked to online fraud schemes, as well as hundreds of arrests and the seizure of assets worth USD 3 million. INTERPOL worked closely with Portuguese criminal police to dismantle a Nigerian network involved in money mule recruitment and laundering funds from online financial fraud victims across Europe.
The data seized during the operation revealed a sophisticated network of transactions, including large transfers to Nigerian bank accounts and cryptocurrency transactions. The operation also identified over 25 syndicate members and froze approximately 100 bank accounts.
“This operation demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in combating online fraud,” said Isaac Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. “By working together, we can weaken the influence of these criminal networks and protect vulnerable individuals from financial losses.”
In Argentina, the operation led to the dismantling of a Nigerian-led transnational criminal network, which was investigated for five years. The country’s Federal Police seized USD 1.2 million in counterfeit banknotes, arrested 72 suspects, and froze approximately 100 bank accounts.
The success of Operation Jackal III comes amid a growing concern about online financial fraud globally. In recent months, INTERPOL has launched several operations to combat online crime, including Operation HAECHI IV, which targeted seven types of cyber-enabled scams.
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