INTERPOL arrests 300 people involved with West Africa organised crime groups News
INTERPOL arrests 300 people involved with West Africa organised crime groups

INTERPOL announced an anti-financial crime operation targeting West African organized crime groups across five continents on Tuesday, leading to the arrests of 300 people. Police seized $3 million in illegal assets, including cryptocurrencies, and blocked 720 bank accounts.

Operation Jackal III ran from early April to July 3, 2024 and pursued online financial fraud. There have been arrests, seizures, blocked bank accounts and over 400 suspects identified. One of the organised crime groups targeted was Black Axe, a major Nigerian-led syndicate that operates within Africa and worldwide, dealing in cyber fraud, human trafficking, drug smuggling and violent crimes. Black Axe had moved money to illegally open bank accounts. Confiscated computers and phones showed money transfers to Nigerian bank accounts and money laundering. Suspects include nationals from Argentina, Colombia, Nigeria and Venezuela. More than 160 people were victims of financial loss and were forced to take out loans or sell their homes.

Ireland’s law enforcement participated in the joint effort with INTERPOL. 63 people were arrested by gardaí with 17 people charged, including six juveniles, and 17 bank accounts under fake names were blocked. An Garda Síochána is one of the law enforcement agencies that is a part of Operation Jackal III (known as Operation Skein in Ireland). It had previously closed ranks on West African organised crime in 2023.

Isaac Oginni, director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, said that the amount of financial fraud from West Africa is increasing and international law enforcement must work together to oppose it. He further stated that with West African syndicates behind bars, it weakens their influence.

INTERPOL is an international criminal police organisation that enables global police collaboration. Its 196 member states combat cybercrime, child sex abuse and other illegal activities.

Martin Ewi, technical coordinator of Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organised Crime (ENACT) at the Institute for Security Studies stated that failure to address organised crime affects security locally and internationally. Ewi also stressed that fighting transnational organized crime must be a global effort.

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