Interpol Arrests 300 In Global Operation Against West African Crime Groups

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has arrested 300 people, seized $3 million and blocked 720 bank accounts in a global operation targeted towards West African organised crime groups.

Interpol revealed this on Tuesday, in a statement.

The operation, tagged Jackal III, spanned across five continents and involved law enforcement agencies from 21 countries.

Running from April 10 to July 3, the operation aimed to combat online financial fraud and the West African syndicates behind it, Interpol said.

The director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Isaac Oginni, said the “volume of financial fraud stemming from West Africa is alarming and increasing.

“This operation’s results underscore the critical need for international law enforcement collaboration to combat these extensive criminal networks,” Oginni added.

Interpol also said that one of the main targets of the operation was Black Axe, a prominent criminal network which the agency said was involved in cyber fraud, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent crimes in West Africa.

According to Interpol, Black Axe uses money mules (someone who moves illegal money for someone else) to open bank accounts worldwide and is under investigation in over 40 countries for money laundering. The suspects include Argentines, Colombians, Nigerians, and Venezuelans, the agency said.

In Argentina, after a five-year investigation, police seized $1.2 million in high-quality counterfeit banknotes, arrested 72 suspects, and froze around 100 bank accounts.

Interpol is the world’s largest international police organisation, with 196 member countries. The organisation facilitates communication and cooperation among national police forces to track suspects in areas like counterterrorism, cybercrime, financial fraud, and organised crime.

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