INTERPOL Operation Jackal III Arrests More Than 300 Scammers
Major Interpol Led Operation Targets ‘Black Axe’ and Other Organized Crime Groups
Primary Category: Criminal Justice
Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• INTERPOL
About This Article
A global law enforcement operation, Operation Jackal III, targeted West African organized crime groups, including Black Axe, resulting in 300 arrests and the seizure of USD 3 million in assets.
Running from April 10 to July 3, 2024, across 21 countries, the operation focused on combating online financial fraud and dismantling criminal networks. Over 400 suspects were identified, and over 720 bank accounts were blocked.
The operation highlighted the critical need for international collaboration in addressing the alarming rise in financial fraud stemming from West Africa.
![Crimes & Criminals Law Enforcment Actions BANNER INTERPOL Operation Jackal III Arrests More Than 300 Scammers - 2024](https://scamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/law-enforcement-actions-BANNER.png)
INTERPOL Operation Strikes Major Blow Against West African Financial Crime – Fraud & Scams
Police seize millions in illegal assets, including cryptocurrencies and luxury items
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.”
‘Supernotes’ – High-Quality Counterfeit Money
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.
Participants
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.
Please Leave Us Your Comment
Also, tell us of any topics we might have missed.
Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.
Recent Reader Comments
on Contractualism and Supporting the Victims of Online Crime: “As a landlord I constantly have contractrialism in play with my tenants. I always give them a copy of the…” Sep 3, 23:31
on The Butterfly Effect And Scam Victims – 2024: “Definitely awareness and education are important to reduce the risks of scams and minimize the consequences of those crimes in…” Sep 3, 23:14
on Faith And Why It Matters In Scam Victim Recovery – 2024: “In my darkest hour, after the scam ended, I remembered what I was told by a family member when I…” Sep 3, 23:03
on Thoughts About Boundaries: “I’m starting simple. My first boundary is not sending or giving money away to anyone.” Sep 3, 20:14
on Thoughts About Boundaries: “The importance of setting boundaries is nicely outlined in this article! Everyone needs to take the time to set their…” Sep 3, 10:00
on Why Are We More Likely To Trust Total Strangers Now? 2024: “Now that I know better, I will do better.” Sep 2, 15:34
on Trust: Romance Scams Betrayal And Scam Victims – 2024: “I was cautious with trust before the scam (evidently not enough). After the scam ended, I was devastated. It will…” Sep 2, 14:40
on Scam Victims: Applying Boundaries When Compassion Is Required Instead – 2023: “Telling the full truth of what happened is hard but necessary to move forward. Understanding the difference between compassion and…” Sep 2, 12:59
on Thoughts About Boundaries: “Setting boundaries, in my experience, was essential to be able to start my recovery process. Family and friends meant well,…” Sep 2, 12:43
on Emotional Numbness and Scam Victims – Coping After the Scam – 2024: “When my scam ended 3 mos ago, I was numbed. I didn’t know if this was a real thing or…” Sep 2, 08:46
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
More ScamsNOW.com Articles
SCARS LINKS: AgainstScams.org RomanceScamsNOW.com ContraEstafas.org ScammerPhotos.com Anyscam.com ScamsNOW.com
reporting.AgainstScams.org support.AgainstScams.org membership.AgainstScams.org donate.AgainstScams.org shop.AgainstScams.org
youtube.AgainstScams.org linkedin.AgainstScams.org facebook.AgainstScams.org
Leave a Reply