INTERPOL Arrests 58 in Worldwide Crackdown on Black Axe Network

An eight-month international police operation targeting West African organised crime groups, including the Black Axe network, has resulted in the identification of 263 suspects and 58 arrests across 22 countries.

Dubbed Operation Jackal IV, the operation ran from November 2025 to June 2026 and focused on disrupting money laundering, tracking major criminal networks, seizing illicit assets, and supporting arrests and prosecutions.

INTERPOL said the targeted groups are involved in cyber-enabled financial crimes such as romance scams, cryptocurrency and investment scams, and business email compromise, as well as other serious crimes.

In South Africa, authorities raided seven locations in Johannesburg linked to romance and investment scams targeting retirees. The operation led to 39 arrests, the seizure of about $2.67 million, and the blocking of 257 bank accounts.

In Romania, police dismantled an investment-scam network operating through a call centre, arresting 11 people. Authorities also seized about €330,000 in cash and cryptocurrency, six properties and luxury watches. The scam was estimated to have stolen and laundered €143 million globally.

INTERPOL also reported an increase in sextortion targeting minors, with some victims as young as 14. Criminals allegedly used social media to gain victims' trust before coercing them into sharing explicit material and demanding ransom.

Nigeria was among the 22 countries that participated in the operation, alongside countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

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