**Interpol-led Crackdown Results in 260 Arrests Across 14 African Countries in Online Romance and Extortion Scams**

Interpol has announced a major crackdown on cybercrime that led to the arrest of 260 individuals across 14 African countries. The operation, conducted during July and August, targeted criminals suspected of involvement in online romance scams and sextortion schemes.

These scams typically involve perpetrators establishing fake romantic relationships online to extract money from victims or blackmail them using explicit images. According to Interpol, the scams affected more than 1,400 victims, who collectively lost nearly 2.8 million US dollars (approximately 2 billion CFA francs).

Cyril Gout, acting executive director of police services at Interpol, highlighted the growing threat posed by cybercrime in Africa. “Interpol’s cybercrime units across Africa are reporting a sharp rise in digitally-enabled crimes such as sextortion and romance scams,” he said. “The growth of online platforms has opened new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit victims, causing both financial loss and psychological harm.”

The operation yielded several significant arrests:

– **Ghana:** Authorities apprehended 68 suspects involved in romance and sextortion scams. The accused reportedly used fake identities to deceive victims into paying fraudulent shipment fees and secretly recorded explicit videos to blackmail them.

– **Senegal:** Police arrested 22 suspects who allegedly impersonated celebrities on social media and dating platforms, defrauding more than 100 individuals out of around 34,000 US dollars (25,000 euros).

– **Ivory Coast:** 24 suspects were detained for creating fake profiles to obtain intimate images from victims, which were then used for blackmail purposes.

Interpol is the world’s largest international police network, with 196 member countries. Headquartered in Lyon, France, Interpol facilitates communication and coordination among national police forces to combat various forms of international crime, including counter-terrorism, financial crime, child pornography, cybercrime, and organized crime.

In recent years, the organization has faced increasing challenges, such as a growing caseload of cybercrime and child sexual abuse cases, alongside geopolitical divisions among member states. This latest operation underscores Interpol’s ongoing commitment to addressing the evolving landscape of cyber-enabled crimes worldwide.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/interpol-says-260-suspects-in-online-romance-scams-arrested-across-africa-1811317.html