Category: Interpol

LYON, France – INTERPOL has kicked off its first-ever Partners Conference, Investing in a Safer World. The two-day event brings together representatives from ministries of interior and foreign affairs, justice authorities and international development and cooperation agencies aiming to address rising security challenges.

The conference will showcase INTERPOL’s role in supporting its 196 member countries through targeted programmes designed to counter global threats.

Over the past two decades, INTERPOL has received close to EUR 400 million in voluntary contributions, primarily from public donors, supporting major INTERPOL initiatives spanning the full range of the organization’s activities: from counterterrorism and border security, to fighting crimes against children, cybercrime, environmental crime, drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime.

In his opening remarks, INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi said:

“Contributing to INTERPOL not only enhances the effectiveness of our global operations, it supports capacity-building, the development of digital tools, and events that benefit the wider policing community. It also ensures that under-represented countries have the resources and representation they need and deserve. As we look to the future, the growing complexity and scale of global crime will require even greater support.”

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in navigating an increasingly complex threat landscape:

“From the rise of cyber-enabled crime to the national security threat posed by organized crime, INTERPOL’s partners are more important to the Organization’s work than ever before. This event is a key opportunity to explore how continued collective investment can help achieve our common goal: a safer world.

Through a series of plenary discussions, breakout sessions and bilateral meetings, participants will have a unique opportunity to engage with INTERPOL subject-matter experts. Central to discussions will be INTERPOL’s Global Policing Goals and their alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda, underscoring the critical intersection between international security and sustainable development.

 

LYON, France – An international operation targeting child sex offenders has led to 144 arrests and enabled the safeguarding of 20 victims across South America.

During Operation Orion International, 12 South American countries joined forces to combat the production, distribution and possession of online child sexual abuse and exploitation material, focusing particularly on victim identification and rescue.

As a result of the operation, undertaken with the coordination and support of INTERPOL, 18 direct abusers were caught and 111 people were charged with possession and distribution of abuse material. Seven individuals wanted internationally for child sex offenses, who were the subjects of INTERPOL Red Notices, were also arrested as part of the crackdown.

The arrested individuals, predominantly men, were aged between 14 and 86 and came from diverse backgrounds. Their occupations included: professor, graphic designer, security guard, mechanic, musician, journalist, psychologist and taxi driver.

Case studies: child victims safeguarded after years of abuse

In Argentina, local authorities had identified abuse material circulating on messaging applications.  With the support of INTERPOL and its additional data, authorities were able to identify and safeguard a nine-year-old victim who had suffered at least six years of abuse.

In a separate case in Chile, police identified an offender sharing child sexual exploitation material in messaging groups. Following his arrest, investigators analysed the seized information and established that the same person had also produced child sexual abuse material at the arrest location. This made it possible to identify and safeguard a 14-year-old girl, the daughter of the perpetrator’s partner.

As part of Operation Orion International, participating countries were also asked to assess existing Red Notices for child sexual offenders believed to be living within their borders.

In one such case, Korean authorities had provided information about the manager of a website which shared child exploitation material. Thanks to the collaboration between Korea and Ecuador, with coordination from INTERPOL, the individual was apprehended.

 

International cooperation throughout South America

The region-wide initiative, which ran from May to September 2024, was launched by INTERPOL following information provided by Chile’s cybercrime unit and the Buenos Aires’ prosecutor’s office, concerning investigations into the transnational distribution of child sexual abuse material on instant messaging applications.

INTERPOL’s Crimes Against Children unit analysed and consolidated this information, along with its existing data, and then shared this intelligence with participating countries. A preoperational meeting with prosecutors and investigators, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, laid out the roadmap for cross-border collaboration.

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“This operation, and the harrowing cases it exposed, is yet another reminder that child abusers are from all walks of life. Thanks to this international effort, children who have known a lifetime of abuse have been protected from further exploitation.

“INTERPOL will continue to work with all member countries in our continued, and vital, efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of society.”

As well as joint international action, the operation required cooperation at a national level, across multiple states. It resulted in arrests and victim identification in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The hardware seizures and evidence gathered during Operation Orion International have opened new avenues for investigation, with further results to follow.

Participating countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao – Law enforcement officials, security and industry experts are meeting in Curaçao to strengthen global partnerships and coordinate action to counter intellectual property (IP) crime.

Affecting all sectors and all regions, the trade in fake and pirated goods by transnational organized crime groups is often linked to other crime types, such as human trafficking, corruption and money laundering.

To counter this evolving threat, some 375 specialists from more than 65 countries are meeting at the 17th International Law Enforcement Intellectual Property (IP) Crime Conference to shape effective enforcement strategies.

Co-hosted by INTERPOL, the Government of Curaçao and its partner the Curinde Free Trade Zone in partnership with UL Standards and Engagement, and delivered by the International IP Crime Investigators College (IIPCIC), this is the first time the event is being held in the Caribbean.

The event also marks the creation of the first National IP Crime Task Force in Curaçao which will provide expert assistance in anti-counterfeiting activities.

On behalf of the Council of Ministers, Curaçao’s Minister of Justice, Mr Shalten Hato said:

“We must unite to fight crime. For Curaçao, the advantage of creating a dedicated task force goes beyond simply identifying criminals who travel internationally and tackling cross-border crime; the exchange of information is essential in helping us stay ahead of criminal activities.”

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“With every region of the world and all industry sectors affected by intellectual property crime, a global and coordinated response is essential.

“This conference will provide new impetus to our united efforts to tackle this threat, which not only harms public health, but also damages economies, undermining communities.”

Focusing on Free Trade Zones and Supply Chain Security, the theme of the conference is “Reducing the Harm”, and will address the following three key areas:

• Coordinating Responses
• Aligning Resources
• Leveraging Opportunities

“We are a safety advocacy organization, and counterfeits represent the absence of safety,” said George Borlase, Interim Executive Director of UL Standards & Engagement.

“We are proud to partner and co-host with INTERPOL, the Government of Curaçao, and the Curinde Free Trade Zone to convene key stakeholders and support information sharing that will lead to solutions that leave us better protected against the harms of counterfeits.”

First held in 2007, the Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference has become the premiere event for law enforcement and private sector professionals.

NASSAU, The Bahamas – INTERPOL’s Americas Regional Conference has ended with a call for enhanced cooperation against the multiple threats posed by organized crime networks and the associated increase in violence.

The meeting concluded with recommendations for strengthened activity to:
•    protect vulnerable communities from human trafficking, migrant smuggling and crimes against children
•    fight drug trafficking and organized crime
•    address the rise in all forms of environmental crime, such as illegal mining, fisheries, forestry and wildlife crime, and
•    tackle vehicle crime as it increasingly converges with other criminality including trafficking in all forms, money laundering and corruption.

Senior police officials also underlined the increased use of INTERPOL’s Notices system to identify, locate and arrest members of criminal gangs as crucial to disrupting organized crime networks, and identifying potential links with terrorism.

INTERPOL Vice President for the Americas, Valdecy Urquiza, who chaired the conference said:

“Transnational crime networks exploit the gaps between our systems and jurisdictions, and they grow stronger where we are divided. Through our combined efforts, we can close these gaps.

“This conference has provided an opportunity to forge new partnerships, reinforce existing ones, and strengthen the bonds of trust and cooperation that are critical to fighting crime on a regional and global scale.”

During the meeting, delegates were also updated on results of cooperation via INTERPOL in combatting financial crime and addressing cyber and cyber-enabled crime, as well as capacity building development programmes in the region.

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“A key takeaway from this meeting is that sharing works. Whether it is expertise or information, sharing brings results.

“This Americas conference has further underlined the region’s commitment to regional and international police cooperation and provides a strong platform for even greater successes in the future.”

The three-day (11-13 September) conference brought together senior police officials from 35 countries in the Americas and around the world.

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The significant threat posed by transnational organized crime and the associated increase in violence is the focus of INTERPOL’s 26th Americas Regional Conference.

The impact generative Artificial Intelligence and syndicates splintering to maximise profits are having on major crime threats such as human, drug and firearms trafficking, and cybercrime will also be discussed over the three-day (11-13 September) meeting.

The conference, attended by senior law enforcement officials from 35 countries across the region and beyond, was opened by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis who said:

“Our collective success depends on our ability to work together. Pooling our resources, intelligence, and best practices.

“This shared approach strengthens our capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to criminal activities that threaten the safety and stability of our nations.”

Operational results

Delegates will also be briefed on outcomes from established INTERPOL-coordinated operations tackling human trafficking and migrant smuggling (Turquesa), firearms (Trigger) and drug trafficking (Lionfish).

Conducted over many years, these operations not only produce results in terms of arrests and rescuing victims, they also develop strong networks of specialists enabling direct and trusted information exchange in follow-up enquiries.

INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi said:

“Transnational organized crime – closely tied to drug trafficking – is a serious global threat that will require our focus this week, as it weakens public safety, governance, and economies across the Americas and the Caribbean.

“This highlights the need for a strong, coordinated approach, where INTERPOL’s global network is crucial.”

Common voice for police

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“Police officers today are witnessing what is an unprecedented increase in transnational threats, or crises, on a global scale.

“A convergence driven by a never-ending thirst of criminal networks to expand their transcontinental grip and maximize their illicit proceeds.

“This is where INTERPOL plays a vital role, providing a common voice for police – for a safer, even if more complex, world.”

With the number of records shared by the Americas almost quadrupling over the past 10 years – from 11.6 million to just under 44 million – it is the fastest growing region in terms of police information sharing.

In addition, so far in 2024 two thirds of all arrests of internationally wanted fugitives reported to INTERPOL have involved at least one National Central Bureau in the Americas.

LYON, France – An international operation coordinated by INTERPOL against drug trafficking in Southeast Asia led to record seizures of synthetic drugs valued at some USD 1.05 billion.

With the value of drugs seized stemming from just 58 seizures, the operation highlighted the considerable profits crime networks make from the synthetic drug market and the threat posed to all regions by transnational organized crime groups.

The operation (22 July – 7 August) involving Australia, Cambodia, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam, also revealed information about the evolution of trafficking routes and threats.

A seizure of nearly 900 kg of crystal methamphetamine in Sydney was traced back to the United States.

This aligns with intelligence suggesting that the source of Australia’s methamphetamine is shifting from Southeast Asia to North America, driven by closer ties between Australian transnational organized crime groups and Mexican cartels, indicating changes in global drug trafficking routes.

The seizure of 1.5 tonnes of ketamine in Southeast Asia further points to the region as a major source of this drug for global markets, with the rapid growth of the ketamine market reflected in the high volumes seized.

Another emerging threat identified involves ‘Happy Water’, a synthetic drug popular in Southeast Asia’s nightlife, which contains methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, benzodiazepines, and caffeine. Happy Water is marketed in commercial-style packaging, misleading consumers about its highly dangerous content.

INTERPOL’s Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“Drug trafficking remains the cornerstone of transnational organized crime. It is also fuelling increased violence in the streets, undermining businesses, communities and even countries.

“This is why these operations are important, a collaborative effort to tackling this global scourge.”

Seizures reveal smuggling methods

The operation – named Operation Lionfish Mayag II – led to 29 arrests and revealed some of the methods traffickers use to smuggle synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals:

–    Authorities in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam seized more than 139 million Yaba pills concealed in large trucks including in toolboxes attached to the sides of the vehicles. Yaba is an addictive stimulant that includes methamphetamine and caffeine.

–    In Myanmar, 13.5 tonnes of sodium cyanide, a precursor for methamphetamine and ecstasy, were found buried in 55 kg barrels. Some 2.3 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine were also seized from a ship off Pyarpon Township. Packaged to look like commercial coffee from Côte d’Ivoire, the drug was bound for Malaysia.

–    In Korea, 16 kg of methamphetamine were found concealed in a commercial food mixer shipped from Thailand.

–    In Australia, methamphetamine was hidden inside paint sprayer guns in parcels posted from the United States.

–    Cambodian authorities intercepted 200 kg of ketamine disguised as commercial tea, smuggled across the border by two Chinese nationals.

INTERPOL’s role against drug trafficking

Collaboration via INTERPOL facilitated real-time intelligence exchange, boosting the operation’s effectiveness.

Notably, INTERPOL analyzed 291 kilograms of cocaine that had washed ashore in Vietnam, uploading the markings to its RELIEF database to help track future shipments.

RELIEF provides advanced tool-mark examination of seized drug packages, detailed analysis including chemical composition, and automated comparisons of logos and marks from pressing plates and cartridges.

A dedicated secure drugs analysis platform also enables INTERPOL’s criminal intelligence analysts to systematically capture, control, analyze, and disseminate drug trafficking information.

INTERPOL’s response against illicit drugs through its I-RAID programme further combats drug trafficking through operations and analysis, capacity building and training, partnerships, and outreach, and by targeting crime proceeds.

Since 2013, Lionfish operations have netted seizures worth USD 4.65 billion and 5,646 arrests in 108 countries.

Operation Lionfish Mayag II was funded by the Korean National Police Agency.

LYON, France: A global stop-payment mechanism developed by INTERPOL has helped Singapore authorities make their largest ever recovery of funds defrauded in a business email compromise scam.

On 23 July 2024, a commodity firm based in Singapore filed a police report stating that they had fallen victim to a business email compromise scam, in which a scammer obtains access to or impersonates a business email account to deceive employees into transferring money to their bank account.

On 15 July, the firm had received an email from a supplier requesting that a pending payment be sent to a new bank account based in Timor Leste. The email, however, came from a fraudulent account spelled slightly different to the supplier’s official email address.

Unaware, the firm transferred USD 42.3 million to the fake supplier on 19 July, only discovering the crime four days later when the genuine supplier said it had not been paid.

On receipt of the police report, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) swiftly requested assistance from authorities in Timor Leste through INTERPOL’s Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism.

I-GRIP uses the global police organization’s 196-country police network to speed up requests for assistance in financial crime cases.

On 25 July, the SPF’s Anti-Scam Centre received confirmation that USD 39 million was detected and withheld from the fake supplier’s bank account in Timor Leste.

Moreover, Timor Leste authorities arrested a total of seven suspects in relation to the scam through follow-up investigations, leading to the further recovery of more than USD 2 million. Steps are being taken for the return of the stolen funds to the victim in Singapore.

Isaac Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), said:

“Speed is crucial to successfully intercepting the proceeds of online scams, with police, financial intelligence units and banks cooperating across multiple jurisdictions in a race against time.

“The cooperation between authorities in Singapore and Timor Leste in this case was exemplary and demonstrates how quick action through INTERPOL can help recover funds taken from the fraud victims and identify the perpetrators.”

Global threat

David Chew, Director of the SPF’s Commercial Affairs Department, said:

“Scams are a global threat that requires a global response from law enforcement. Today, money moves at the click of a button, and law enforcement must be able to move as fast to protect our citizens. We commend the swift and decisive action of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, which played a pivotal role in the prompt interception of more than USD 40 million.”

Since its launch in 2022, INTERPOL’s I-GRIP mechanism has helped law enforcement intercept hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit funds.

During its pilot phase, I-GRIP was pivotal in helping several countries recover funds transferred to fraudsters in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the interception of USD 3.4 million transferred from an Italian company in September 2020 for non-existent medical equipment in Indonesia.

In a 2024 INTERPOL operation, police used I-GRIP to intercept USD 331,000 in a business email compromise fraud involving a Spanish victim who transferred money to Hong Kong, China.

INTERPOL is encouraging businesses and individuals to take preventative steps to avoid falling victim to business email compromise and other social engineering scams. For more information and resources, visit our website: https://www.interpol.int/Crimes/Financial-crime

Timeline of a scam

15 July	Singapore firm receives scam email from fake supplier
19 July	Firm transfers USD 42.3 million to the fake supplier via a bank account in Timor Leste
23 July	Firm discovers the fraud after genuine supplier reports not being paid and files police report in Singapore; Singapore Police Force reaches out to INTERPOL
24 July	Singapore receives confirmation via INTERPOL that more than USD 39 million was intercepted thanks to cooperation with Timor Leste authorities
24-26 July	Timor Leste authorities arrest several suspects and recovers additional USD 2 million

LYON, France – More than 615 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals worth USD 1.6 billion have been seized in 31 countries, in an operation coordinated by INTERPOL.

Operation Lionfish Hurricane, undertaken in April and May 2024, led to 206 arrests after targeting drug trafficking networks spanning South America, Africa and Europe.

The operation’s unprecedented seizure of 505 tonnes of precursor chemicals, used for manufacturing both drugs and explosives, highlights the significant growth of transnational organized crime groups, and their ability to make weapons.

Additionally, authorities confiscated more than 56 tonnes of cocaine and 52 tonnes of other drugs, including marijuana, ketamine, and tramadol.

‘Narco-sub’ seized in jungle

The operation’s range of seizures underscores the intricate links between various forms of transnational organized crime:

–    In Guyana, authorities seized a semi-submersible vessel in the jungle, highlighting the use of homemade ‘narco-subs’ to transport up to 3 tonnes of cocaine via South American riverways and then across the Atlantic to Western Europe.

–    Brazilian authorities arrested 17 members of a drug mule ring traveling separately from Brazil to France, including an individual who had ingested 120 packages of cocaine.

–    30,000 commercial-grade detonators diverted from military or commercial mining use were confiscated across South America, as well as 280 firearms and grenades.

–    Colombian police seized 2.1 tonnes of hydrochloric acid and destroyed a jungle factory producing sulfuric acid. Both are used to produce cocaine and homemade explosives.

–    In Ghana, a trafficking ring exploiting postal shipments was dismantled after authorities seized 18.8 kg of marijuana in parcels bound for the UK.

–    Six tonnes of cocaine hydrochloride that passed through Sierra Leone were seized in Antwerp, Belgium, while another 1.1 tonnes of the same drug concealed in a truck bound for Europe were seized in Senegal. Cocaine hydrochloride is produced as a white powder and is the most common form of cocaine.

–    65 stolen motor vehicles were intercepted in South America and West Africa, including a car recovered in Benin four months after it was stolen in Canada.

INTERPOL’s Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“The value of drugs seized in this two-month operation is higher than the GDP of some countries, which clearly shows the scale of the problem facing law enforcement.

“Organized crime networks continue to expand their reach and the devastating consequences their activities bring. We will, and must, unite our efforts to combat this national security threat which threatens every country.”

INTERPOL’s response against illicit drugs

With traffickers evolving from single-drug operations to more complex and diversified poly-crime networks, Lionfish Hurricane involved a multidisciplinary operational support team of experts from different crime areas to boost the overall intelligence picture.

The operation fell under INTERPOL’s new I-RAID programme (INTERPOL Response Against Illicit Drugs), a six-year initiative that combats drug trafficking through operations and analysis, capacity building and training, partnerships and outreach, and by targeting crime proceeds.

A dedicated secure drugs analysis platform enables INTERPOL’s criminal intelligence analysts to systematically capture, control, analyze, and disseminate drug trafficking information.

Furthermore, the RELIEF database provides advanced tool-mark examination of seized drug packages, detailed analysis including chemical composition, and automated comparisons of logos and marks from pressing plates and cartridges.

The UK Home Office funded the operation which also involved the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics), WCO, UNODC, and Expertise France.

Since 2013, Lionfish operations have netted seizures worth USD 3.6 billion and 5,617 arrests in 108 countries.

Participating countries in Lionfish Hurricane: Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Ireland, Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Togo, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela.

LYON, France – The eighth edition of an Operation Pandora saw customs and law enforcement authorities from 25 countries join forces against international art trafficking. Led by the Spanish Guardia Civil, with the support of Europol and INTERPOL, the operation resulted in 85 arrests and the recovery of more than 6,400 cultural goods.

During Pandora VIII, several thousand checks were carried out at airports, ports and border crossing points, as well as in auction houses, museums and private residences. Law enforcement also patrolled the web and conducted 6,000 online checks, leading to the recovery of 580 stolen goods. A total of 113 criminal and 137 administrative cases are still ongoing, with more arrests and seizures expected.

Operational highlights

Pandora VIII resulted in the recovery of the following stolen artefacts, among others:

• Spanish National Police collaborated with the Ukrainian National Police to recover 11 gold items valued at more than EUR 60 million. The criminal case involved money laundering and illicit trafficking of archaeological items stemming from the ‘Scythian’ culture, which had been stolen in Ukraine and smuggled to Spain.
• In another case, the Spanish Guardia Civil of Córdoba, with the support and advice of archaeologists from the government of Andalucía as well as the Archaeological Museum of Sevilla, seized a private collection of 350 objects. The collection consisted of lithic, ceramic and metal pieces from various archaeological periods.
• Romanian Police recovered a wooden iconostasis dated between 1850 and 1880, stolen from a church in Romania and which had been put up for sale online.
• The Bulgarian Customs Agency seized 432 ancient coins from Türkiye and en route for France.
• In two investigations by the Hellenic Police, 43 ancient amphorae were seized and two people arrested.
• After conducting online checks, the Polish National Police located and seized 229 objects in an antique shop. Some of the items were made of ivory, with a total estimated value of EUR 140,000.
• The Italian Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage identified and seized a contemporary painting being sold online. If authenticated, the painting would have been valued at approximately EUR 150,000. During the search, officers also found various counterfeit items.
• In a separate investigation, the Carabinieri seized over 2,000 fragments of ceramic and lithic artifacts such as arrowheads and spearheads. The ancient items, stemming from the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, had been offered for sale online.
• French authorities seized an illegally exported painting by Vietnamese artist Mai Thứ (1906 – 1980) at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The painting is valued at EUR 167,440.
• In cooperation with national partners, the Czech National Police detected and investigated the sale of several stolen historical objects. Among them was a wooden statue of Saint Bartholomew (dated between 1658 and 1660), which was secured and returned to its original owner. This national cultural artifact had been stolen from the Last Supper Chapel in Římov in 1994 and later sold online.

International cooperation between countries and agencies

INTERPOL supported Pandora VIII by facilitating the exchange of information between participating countries, notably with the Balkan countries. A dedicated officer was also available throughout the operation to check frontline seizures against INTERPOL’s Stolen Works of Art Database and support officers on the ground in their use of the ID-Art mobile application.

As a co-leader of the operation, Europol played a key role by facilitating information exchange and providing analytical and operational support to the individual national investigations.

Operation Pandora, which was first launched in 2016, is an annual law enforcement operation. It is carried out in the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).

Participating countries:

Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

LYON, France – 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’

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.

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.