Interpol Blocks 208 Accounts, Arrests 103 Persons in West Africa over Cyberfraud

Interpol has said 208 bank accounts have been blocked, and arrested 103 individuals connected to online financial fraud in West African organised crime.

The international criminal police organisation’s website revealed that more than 200 bank accounts linked to the illicit proceeds of online financial crime were blocked during the operation. It said several kingpins were arrested because their crime networks were considered a global security threat.

Interpol noted that the crackdown, code named Operation Jackal, happened between 15 and 29 May, with mobilised police forces, financial crime units, and cybercrime agencies across 21 countries around the world, delivering a targeted strike against Black Axe and similar West African organised crime groups.

Emphasizing on the result of the raid, Interpol stated, “€2.15m seized or frozen, 103 arrests, 1,110 suspects identified, and 208 bank accounts blocked.”

In a statement on the organisation’s website, Isaac Oginni, director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre said, “Organised crime is mostly driven by financial gain and Interpol is committed to working with our member countries to deprive these groups of their ill-gotten assets.

“This successful operation involving so many countries clearly shows what can be achieved through international cooperation, and will serve as a blueprint for concerted police action against financial crime in the future.”