In a major pan-African operation, Interpol has arrested 260 suspects involved in various cyber-enabled crimes including romance scams and sextortion across 14 African countries.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Contender 3.0,” was conducted between July and August 2025 to dismantle criminal syndicates exploiting digital platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Investigations revealed that over 1,400 victims suffered financial losses totaling nearly $2.8 million.
Authorities seized numerous devices and documents used in perpetrating the crimes.
The operation benefited from collaboration between Interpol, national law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners such as Group-IB and Trend Micro who provided vital intelligence.
Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at Interpol, stated that cybercrime continues to pose serious threats to people and economies across Africa.
He called for sustained international cooperation to combat the rapidly evolving cyber threats undermining trust in digital economies.
The countries involved included Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Angola, and Côte d’Ivoire among others.
The crackdown underscores Interpol’s commitment to supporting African nations in securing cyberspace and protecting citizens from criminal exploitation.
