Interpol has successfully carried out a major crackdown, arresting over 300 individuals connected to Black Axe, one of West Africa’s most notorious criminal networks, along with other affiliated groups.
Known for their involvement in various criminal activities, including trafficking, prostitution, and murders, Black Axe’s primary revenue stream comes from cybercrime.
The recent operation, dubbed ‘Operation Jackal III’, led to the arrest of hundreds of suspects and the confiscation of assets worth approximately $3 million, effectively disrupting several criminal networks operating on a global scale.
This operation, spanning from April 10 to July 3, targeted online financial fraud and focused on dismantling the West African syndicates behind these activities.
It involved coordinated efforts across 21 countries on five continents, leading to the identification of over 400 additional suspects and the freezing of more than 720 bank accounts.
Interpol’s headquarters played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of intelligence, helping identify and apprehend suspects.
‘Operation Jackal III,’ saw the collaboration of law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, asset recovery offices, and private sector partners in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cote D’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Earlier in February 2024, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu pledged to enhance the capacity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to better tackle digital crimes.
This commitment aligns with the objectives of operations like Jackal III, which aim to combat the growing threat of financial fraud originating from West Africa.
Director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Isaac Oginni, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “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.”
A senior official at IFCACC, Tomonobu Kaya, emphasized the role of financial technology and cryptocurrencies in enabling these cybercrime syndicates, noting, “They are very organized and very structured. These criminal syndicates are early adopters of new technologies… A lot of fintech developments make it easy to illegally move money around the world.”
The operation had significant success in Argentina, where authorities dismantled a Nigerian-led transnational criminal network after a five-year investigation.
The Federal Police seized $1.2 million in counterfeit “supernotes,” arrested 72 individuals, and froze nearly 100 bank accounts.
The network, which employed money mules to open bank accounts globally, is now under investigation in more than 40 countries for related money laundering activities.
The suspects include nationals from Argentina, Colombia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. Tragically, over 160 fraud victims suffered substantial financial losses, with some being forced to sell their homes or take on massive debts.
The Head of Argentina’s National Central Bureau, Diego Verdun, reflected on the operation’s success, saying, “Operation Jackal is a crucial step forward in combating West African online financial fraud and clearly demonstrates that cybercriminals cannot escape the watchful eye of INTERPOL’s 196 member countries – especially in Argentina.
By following illegal money trails worldwide, INTERPOL and the global police community ensure that no matter where these criminals try to hide, they will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.
In Switzerland, a separate sting operation targeted West African crime syndicates, resulting in the seizure of cocaine, approximately EUR 45,000 in cash, and the arrest of several suspects.
Meanwhile, Portuguese authorities dismantled a Nigerian network involved in recruiting money mules and laundering funds from online financial fraud across Europe. The investigation revealed large transfers to Nigerian bank accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and sophisticated money laundering schemes, leading to the identification of over 25 syndicate members.
This multi-faceted operation illustrates the extensive reach and coordination required to combat such pervasive criminal networks and serves as a testament to the global community’s determination to hold these syndicates accountable.
