Interpol Operation Jackal IV arrests 58 in global cyber-crime crackdown

Operation Jackal IV cyber-enabled financial fraud Black Axe money laundering sextortion

Interpol has concluded Operation Jackal IV, an eight-month international crackdown targeting West African organized crime networks across 22 countries. The operation resulted in 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects.

Criminal groups, including the Nigerian-based Black Axe, were found to be responsible for a significant portion of global cyber-enabled financial fraud. These activities include romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, investment schemes, and business email compromise. Investigators noted that these networks frequently target retirees in English-speaking countries.

Key regional outcomes included: - South Africa: 39 arrests in Johannesburg, the seizure of $2.67 million, and the freezing of 257 bank accounts. - Argentina: 17 arrests following the identification of 196 individuals linked to a Crime-as-a-Service network. - Romania: 11 arrests related to a call center scam estimated to have generated 143 million euros.

Additionally, the operation highlighted an alarming rise in sextortion schemes targeting minors, with some victims as young as 14 years old.

Entities

Black Axe · Interpol · Johannesburg · South African Police Service · Tomonobu Kaya

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] The operation ran from November 2025 to June 2026 and involved 22 countries across six continents. swazi24.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · punchng.com · chale.news · +5 more
[● 3 SOURCES] South African law enforcement blocked 257 bank accounts linked to a romance and investment scam syndicate. swazi24.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalcybersecurity.com
[● 10 SOURCES] Operation Jackal IV resulted in 58 arrests and the identification of 263 suspects. swazi24.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · punchng.com · chale.news · +5 more
[● 9 SOURCES] In South Africa, authorities made 39 arrests and seized approximately $2.67 million during raids in Johannesburg. swazi24.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · arenait.ro · www.adomonline.com · +4 more
[● 3 SOURCES] In Argentina, 17 arrests were made following the identification of 196 individuals linked to a Crime-as-a-Service network. swazi24.com · securityaffairs.com · www.upday.com
[● 10 SOURCES] The Black Axe group is responsible for a significant share of global cyber-enabled financial fraud. swazi24.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · punchng.com · chale.news · +5 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The operation targeted West African organized crime groups, including the Black Axe. swazi24.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · punchng.com
[● 8 SOURCES] Criminal networks targeted retirees in English-speaking countries through romance and investment scams. swazi24.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · arenait.ro · www.adomonline.com · +3 more
[● 2 SOURCES] In Romania, 11 people were arrested for operating a call center involved in investment and cryptocurrency scams. arenait.ro · www.clubic.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Investigators uncovered a growing use of sextortion by West African criminal groups to target minors, with some victims as young as 14. chale.news · www.adomonline.com · ghanaguardian.com · www.upday.com