Authorities in 14 African countries arrested 260 suspects in a coordinated operation targeting cybercrime networks that exploit social media and digital platforms. Operation Contender 3.0 focused on romance scams, where victims are tricked into sending money, and sextortion, in which offenders blackmail victims using explicit images.
The operation, carried out from July 28 to August 11, identified 1,463 victims and estimated financial losses of nearly $2.8 million. Investigators traced IP addresses, social media profiles, domains, and digital infrastructure linked to the syndicates. Seized items included USB drives, SIM cards, forged documents, and 1,235 electronic devices, alongside the dismantling of 81 cybercrime networks.
Interpol coordinated the effort, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with support from private partners Group-IB and Trend Micro. Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at Interpol, highlighted that “cybercrime units across Africa are reporting a sharp rise in digital-enabled crimes,” noting that the expansion of online platforms has allowed criminal networks to exploit victims, resulting in both financial loss and psychological harm.
In Ghana, authorities arrested 68 individuals, seized 835 devices, and identified 108 victims. Investigators uncovered $450,000 in losses, recovering $70,000. Offenders used fake profiles, forged identities, and fraudulent courier or customs fees to defraud victims. In Senegal, police arrested 22 suspects who impersonated celebrities, defrauding 120 victims of roughly $34,000. Côte d’Ivoire authorities apprehended 24 suspects exploiting fake profiles to blackmail 809 victims, while Angola arrested eight individuals targeting 28 victims with fraudulent documents.
Operation Contender 3.0 highlights the increasing threat of cyber-enabled crime across Africa and underscores the importance of international cooperation in dismantling networks that target vulnerable individuals online.
