Fri Sep 26 10:28:56 UTC 2025: ## Interpol Busts Romance and Extortion Scam Ring Across Africa

**Dakar, September 26, 2025 (The Hindu) -** An Interpol-coordinated crackdown on cybercrime has resulted in the arrest of 260 individuals across 14 African countries, suspected of operating online romance and extortion scams. The operation, conducted in July and August, targeted criminal networks exploiting online platforms to defraud victims of both money and their emotional well-being.

According to Interpol, the scams involved perpetrators building false online relationships to extract funds or blackmail targets with explicit images. Over 1,400 victims were identified, suffering losses totaling nearly $2.8 million.

“Cybercrime units across Africa are reporting a sharp rise in digital-enabled crimes such as extortion and romance scams,” stated Cyril Gout, acting executive director of police services at Interpol. He highlighted the alarming trend of criminal networks leveraging the growth of online platforms to exploit vulnerable individuals.

Notable arrests include 68 suspects in Ghana accused of using fake identities to collect fraudulent shipment fees and blackmail victims with secretly recorded explicit videos. In Senegal, 22 individuals were apprehended for allegedly impersonating celebrities on social media and dating platforms, scamming over 100 people out of approximately $34,000. Ivory Coast authorities also arrested 24 suspects for using fake profiles to obtain intimate images for blackmail.

The international police organisation emphasized the growing challenge of cybercrime, alongside issues such as child sex abuse and increasing divisions amongst member nations. Interpol, with 196 member countries, continues to work to facilitate international cooperation among national police forces in combating transnational crime.

Read More