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Law enforcement agencies from 22 countries coordinated efforts in an eight-month cybercrime operation. As a result, 58 individuals were arrested and hundreds of suspects were identified.
Interpol announced the results of the latest phase of Operation Jackal, a multi-year campaign aimed at disrupting organized cybercrime groups in dozens of countries.
Recent law enforcement operations took place in Italy, Argentina, South Africa, and Romania.
Interpol officials reported the discovery of a Crime-as-a-Service (CaaS) network in Argentina, operated by 196 individuals. The network provided website domain names and money laundering services to West African organized crime groups such as Black Axe, a cybercrime group that international law enforcement agencies have been trying to dismantle for over five years. Seventeen individuals were arrested in Argentina.
Interpol Director Tomonobu Kaya stated that law enforcement had successfully traced illicit financial flows across borders, ultimately leading them to "the most vital component of organized crime."
According to Interpol, groups like Black Axe and others are responsible for "a significant proportion of cyber-enabled financial fraud worldwide." Criminals typically use romance scams, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, or business email compromise (BEC), as well as other serious and violent crimes.
Operation Jackal IV ran from November 2025 to June 2026. During it, Interpol disrupted money laundering networks, identified high-value suspects, seized assets, and supported local law enforcement in making arrests.
In South Africa, law enforcement raided seven properties in Johannesburg linked to a group engaged in romance and investment fraud targeting senior citizens in English-speaking countries. The raids resulted in the arrest of 39 individuals and the seizure of approximately $2.7 million in assets.
In Romania, 11 individuals were arrested on suspicion of organizing a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme through a call center. Investigators recovered $166 million in stolen and laundered funds stored in e-wallets controlled by a Romanian group.
Romanian investigators also seized approximately $379,000, several properties, and luxury watches.
In addition to the arrests, one participant in the money laundering scheme, who used shell companies, money transfer systems, and cash withdrawals, was identified in Italy.
Interpol noted that in addition to arrests and seizures, the operation uncovered several alarming cybercrime trends, including the rise of sextortion tactics targeting minors as young as 14.
Criminals contact children through social media or gaming platforms, gain their trust, and persuade them to send intimate photos. They then threaten to publish the images unless the victim pays a ransom.
Law enforcement agencies in the United States and other countries have been targeting Black Axe and other cybercrime syndicates since 2021 for their involvement in romance scams and other criminal activities. In 2024, more than 300 people were arrested in West Africa, Argentina, and other regions as part of the third phase of Interpol's Operation Jackal.
In April, law enforcement agencies in Switzerland and Germany arrested 10 alleged Black Axe members in raids conducted simultaneously in both countries.
Interpol announced the results of the latest phase of Operation Jackal, a multi-year campaign aimed at disrupting organized cybercrime groups in dozens of countries.
Recent law enforcement operations took place in Italy, Argentina, South Africa, and Romania.
Interpol officials reported the discovery of a Crime-as-a-Service (CaaS) network in Argentina, operated by 196 individuals. The network provided website domain names and money laundering services to West African organized crime groups such as Black Axe, a cybercrime group that international law enforcement agencies have been trying to dismantle for over five years. Seventeen individuals were arrested in Argentina.
Interpol Director Tomonobu Kaya stated that law enforcement had successfully traced illicit financial flows across borders, ultimately leading them to "the most vital component of organized crime."
According to Interpol, groups like Black Axe and others are responsible for "a significant proportion of cyber-enabled financial fraud worldwide." Criminals typically use romance scams, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, or business email compromise (BEC), as well as other serious and violent crimes.
Operation Jackal IV ran from November 2025 to June 2026. During it, Interpol disrupted money laundering networks, identified high-value suspects, seized assets, and supported local law enforcement in making arrests.
In South Africa, law enforcement raided seven properties in Johannesburg linked to a group engaged in romance and investment fraud targeting senior citizens in English-speaking countries. The raids resulted in the arrest of 39 individuals and the seizure of approximately $2.7 million in assets.
In Romania, 11 individuals were arrested on suspicion of organizing a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme through a call center. Investigators recovered $166 million in stolen and laundered funds stored in e-wallets controlled by a Romanian group.
Romanian investigators also seized approximately $379,000, several properties, and luxury watches.
In addition to the arrests, one participant in the money laundering scheme, who used shell companies, money transfer systems, and cash withdrawals, was identified in Italy.
Interpol noted that in addition to arrests and seizures, the operation uncovered several alarming cybercrime trends, including the rise of sextortion tactics targeting minors as young as 14.
Criminals contact children through social media or gaming platforms, gain their trust, and persuade them to send intimate photos. They then threaten to publish the images unless the victim pays a ransom.
Law enforcement agencies in the United States and other countries have been targeting Black Axe and other cybercrime syndicates since 2021 for their involvement in romance scams and other criminal activities. In 2024, more than 300 people were arrested in West Africa, Argentina, and other regions as part of the third phase of Interpol's Operation Jackal.
In April, law enforcement agencies in Switzerland and Germany arrested 10 alleged Black Axe members in raids conducted simultaneously in both countries.