Operation Jackal III, a global crackdown on crime groups operating in West Africa, has resulted in a significant breakthrough, with hundreds of arrests and assets worth up to $3 million seized. The operation, which took place from April 10 to July 3 across five continents and 21 countries, targeted online financial fraud orchestrated by West African syndicates.

Law enforcement agencies managed to apprehend approximately 300 individuals involved in criminal activities and identified 400 more suspects. Additionally, they successfully blocked access to over 700 bank accounts linked to illicit financial transactions. The concerted efforts of international authorities have dealt a severe blow to the operations of these criminal organizations.

Isaac Oginni, the director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), emphasized the significance of disrupting the activities of these criminal networks. “By apprehending suspects, recovering illegal proceeds, and incarcerating key leaders of West Africa’s most dangerous organized crime groups, we are crippling their operations and mitigating the threat they pose to communities worldwide,” stated Oginni in a press release.

Among the criminal groups targeted during the operation was Black Axe, a notorious West African syndicate involved in various illegal activities such as cyberfraud, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent crimes. This syndicate operates not only within Africa but also extends its reach globally, posing a threat to law enforcement agencies worldwide.

The individuals apprehended in connection with Black Axe hail from various countries, including Colombia, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Argentina. In a noteworthy development, after a five-year investigation, authorities in Argentina seized $1.2 million and arrested 72 suspects linked to the criminal syndicate. This indicates the extensive reach and influence of these organized crime groups on a global scale.

This latest operation is not the first time that Interpol has taken decisive action against these criminal syndicates. In 2023, Operation Jackal targeted the same West African groups, resulting in the arrest of 103 individuals and the seizure of more than $2.2 million. The consistent efforts of law enforcement agencies to disrupt the illicit activities of these syndicates demonstrate their commitment to combating transnational organized crime effectively.

The success of Operation Jackal III underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating financial crime and dismantling organized crime networks. By working together across borders, law enforcement agencies can effectively disrupt the operations of criminal syndicates and protect communities from the detrimental impact of their illegal activities. This latest operation serves as a clear message to criminal organizations that their illicit schemes will not go unpunished and that global law enforcement will continue to pursue them relentlessly.

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