Operation Jackal IV: 58 arrests in global cyber fraud operation

INTERPOL ’s Operation Jackal IV is one of the largest international anti-cyberfraud operations in recent years. The eight-month operation, which took place between November 2025 and June 2026 , resulted in the arrest of 58 individuals and the identification of 263 suspects . It aimed to dismantle West African organized crime networks responsible for a huge portion of global cyberfraud.

The operation was coordinated by the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC) and brought together authorities from 22 countries across six continents: Austria, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, United Kingdom and the United States. This multinational collaboration highlights the seriousness of the threat posed by West African criminal networks in cyberspace.

The targeted criminal networks, including the notorious Black Axe group , use a wide range of methods to defraud their victims. From romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud , to Business Email Compromise (BEC) and money laundering through complex financial structures, their methods are constantly evolving.

See also: Operation Synergia III: INTERPOL dismantles digital criminal networks

Operation Jackal IV: The main results of the operation

One of the most significant achievements of Operation Jackal IV concerns the identification of 196 individuals involved in a large Crime-as-a-Service (CaaS). This network provided infrastructure services — such as domain names — as well as money laundering to West African criminal organizations. In this case, 17 arrests.

In Johannesburg , South Africa, authorities raided seven locations where an organization was operating that was carrying out romance scams and investment fraud against pensioners in English-speaking countries. The organization operated in a manner that resembleda legitimate business: members had taken on different roles handling different aspects of the fraud.

Particularly impressive was the dismantling of a sophisticated investment scam operating from a call center in Romania. The scheme promised high returns on stocks and cryptocurrencies, luring unsuspecting users into handing over their money. The funds were then funneled into cryptocurrency wallets controlled by the fraudsters, resulting in a total of €143 million worldwide. Authorities arrested 11 people and seized approximately €330,000 in cash and cryptocurrencies, six properties and several luxury watches.

In addition, a pan-European money laundering that used shell companies, wire transfer services and cash withdrawals to conceal the origin of funds. A single account laundered €845,000 (approximately $736,000) through 560 transactions using 20 different financial instruments.

Operation Jackal IV and the history of previous operations

Operation Jackal IV is the fourth phase of a series of operations launched in 2022 to tackle West African organized cybercrime. Each phase has yielded significant results, demonstrating that international cooperation is the most effective tool against these networks:

• Operation Jackal I (September 2022) led to 75 arrests, 49 property searches and the seizure of €1.2 million in bank accounts.

• Operation Jackal II (May 2023) raised the bar with 103 arrests, identification of 1,110 suspects, freezing of 208 bank accounts and seizure of €2.15 million.

• Operation Jackal III (April–July 2024) was the largest to date, with 300 arrests, identification of 400 suspects , and freezing of 720+ bank accounts.

See also: Operation First Light: Interpol dismantles online fraud networks

According to The Hacker News, the four phases of the operation have led to hundreds of arrests and significantly disrupted the operations of West African criminal networks. However, the challenge remains enormous, as these organizations quickly adapt and develop new methods of deception.

“Operation Jackal IV demonstrates the power of international cooperation,” said Tomonobu Kaya, Director of the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. “By tracking illicit financial flows across borders, we are striking at the very lifeblood of organized crime and making it increasingly difficult for criminal networks to profit from their activities.”

The West African cybercrime phenomenon has grown exponentially in recent years. Groups like Black Axe are no longer limited to traditional fraud methods, but have developed sophisticated infrastructures Crime-as-a-Service that they “rent” to other criminal organizations. This means that even groups without technical knowledge can carry out complex cyberattacks by purchasing the necessary services.

This threat is extremely dangerous for Greece and Europe. Romance scams and investment frauds have affected thousands of European citizens, with losses amounting to millions of euros annually. The participation of countries such as Romania in the investigations highlights that Europe is both a field of action and a base of operations for these networks.

See also: Operation PowerOFF: Seizure of 53 DDoS Domains and 3 million accounts

Protection

To protect against such scams, cybersecurity experts recommend: being particularly suspicious of people you meet online who suddenly ask you for money or investments; not trusting platforms that promise guaranteed high returns on cryptocurrencies or stocks; always verifying the identity of investment companies through official regulators; and immediately reporting any suspicious communications to the relevant authorities.

The success of Operation Jackal IV sends a strong message to criminal networks: the international community is determined to pursue them regardless of borders. The continuation and expansion of such operations, combined with public awareness, is the most effective way to address the global threat of cybercrime.