Interpol arrests 260 suspects in romance and extortion scams across 14 African countries, exposing growing cybercrime networks targeting victims worldwide.
Interpol announced Friday that a sweeping crackdown across 14 African countries led to the arrest of 260 suspects tied to online romance and extortion scams, underscoring the continent’s growing role as a hub for digital-enabled crime.
The two-month operation, conducted in July and August, targeted networks accused of duping more than 1,400 victims and stealing nearly $2.8 million through fake online relationships, bogus fees, and sextortion schemes.
“Cybercrime units across Africa are reporting a sharp rise in digital-enabled crimes such as sextortion and romance scams,” Cyril Gout, Interpol’s acting executive director of police services, said in a statement. “The growth of online platforms has opened new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit victims, causing both financial loss and psychological harm.”
Authorities in Ghana arrested 68 suspects accused of creating fake identities to trick victims into paying fraudulent shipment fees or to extort them with secretly recorded intimate videos.
In Senegal, 22 suspects allegedly posed as celebrities on social media and dating platforms to scam over 100 people out of $34,000. In Ivory Coast, 24 suspects were accused of using fake profiles to blackmail victims with explicit images.
The crackdown highlights both the sophistication of these networks and the vulnerability of victims who often suffer not only financial ruin but also emotional trauma. Investigators say the scams are increasingly transnational, with perpetrators in Africa targeting individuals in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Interpol, headquartered in Lyon, France, said the arrests show the importance of coordinated policing across its 196 member states.
The organization has recently flagged a surge in online fraud and child exploitation cases, warning that cybercrime syndicates are becoming more organized and more difficult to track.
For victims, the numbers only scratch the surface. Analysts say romance scams are vastly underreported, as shame and stigma often prevent people from seeking help. But Friday’s announcement sends a clear message: law enforcement is beginning to close in on a criminal economy once thought untouchable.
