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INTERPOL OPERATION STRIKES MAJOR BLOW AGAINST WEST AFRICAN FINANCIAL CRIME

16 July 2024
Home

News and Events

News

2024

INTERPOL operation strikes major blow against West African financial crime

Police seize millions in illegal assets, including cryptocurrencies and luxury
items

LYON, France - A global law enforcement operation targeting West African
organized crime groups, including Black Axe, has led to hundreds of arrests, the
seizure of assets worth USD 3 million, and the dismantling of multiple criminal
networks around the world.

Operation Jackal III, which ran from 10 April to 3 July across 21 countries on
five continents, targeted online financial fraud and the West African syndicates
behind it.

The annual operation resulted in some 300 arrests, the identification of over
400 additional suspects, and the blocking of more than 720 bank accounts.

Isaac Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre
(IFCACC) 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.

“By identifying suspects, recovering illicit funds and putting some of West
Africa’s most dangerous organized crime leaders behind bars, we are able to
weaken their influence and reduce their capacity to harm communities around the
world."

By tracing illegal money trails worldwide, the Argentinian Federal Police worked
collaboratively to bring suspected network members to justice
As part of Operation Jackal III, Argentinian Federal Police search a residence
for evidence
In Argentina, Operation Jackal III saw the dismantling of a major Nigerian-led
transnational criminal network following a five-year investigation
Swiss law enforcement seized over a kilogram of cocaine and approximately EUR
45,000 in cash during Operation Jackal III
Swiss law enforcement arrested multiple suspects believed to be part of a West
African organized crime syndicate
1 / 5




‘SUPERNOTES’

Black Axe is one of the most prominent West African transnational organized
crime syndicates, with operations in cyber fraud, human trafficking, drug
smuggling, and violent crimes both within Africa and globally.

In Argentina, Operation Jackal III saw the dismantling of a Nigerian-led
transnational criminal network following a five-year investigation. The Federal
Police seized USD 1.2 million in ‘supernotes’ – high quality counterfeit
banknotes – arrested 72 suspects and froze approximately 100 bank accounts.

The network used money mules to open bank accounts worldwide and is now under
investigation in over 40 countries for related money laundering activities. The
suspects include citizens from Argentina, Colombia, Nigeria and Venezuela.
More than 160 fraud victims suffered significant financial losses, with some
forced to sell their homes or take out large loans as a result.


ILLEGAL MONEY TRAILS

Diego Verdun, Head of Argentina’s National Central Bureau, said:

“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 a separate case in Switzerland, police cracked down on West African organized
crime syndicates operating nationwide, seizing cocaine, approximately EUR 45,000
in cash, and arresting multiple suspects.

INTERPOL supported the operation by providing real-time access to its databases,
facilitating the identification of criminals and their activities.


CRYPTOCURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Portuguese criminal police dismantled a Nigerian network involved in money mule
recruitment, laundering funds from online financial fraud victims across Europe.
More than 25 syndicate members were identified in the process.

Data from seized computers and phones revealed large transfers to Nigerian bank
accounts, cryptocurrency transactions, and sophisticated money laundering
operations.

INTERPOL headquarters assisted countries by facilitating intelligence exchange
and the identification and apprehension of suspects.

Operation Jackal III mobilized police forces, financial intelligence units,
asset recovery offices, and private sector partners in Argentina, Australia,
Brazil, Canada, Cote D’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy,
Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.


COUNTRIES INVOLVED

ARGENTINA
SWITZERLAND
PORTUGAL


SEE ALSO

Organized crime
Financial crime


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