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International Operation Targets West African Scam Networks, Nets 28 Arrests

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Summary

A joint international operation targeting scam networks in West Africa resulted in 28 arrests, 117 trafficking victims rescued, and more than 3.7 million accounts, groups, and pages taken down.

Key points

  • The operation involved law enforcement agencies and industry participants from multiple countries.
  • Authorities reported 28 arrests, the rescue of 117 trafficking victims, and the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices.
  • Meta removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, groups, and pages based in West Africa.
  • Scams targeted victims worldwide and included impersonation, digital-arrest extortion, and pig-butchering schemes.
  • Authorities identified more than $11 million in potentially freezable funds; it remains unclear how much will be frozen.
  • Participants shared more than 30 leads on scam centers, and officials said future joint efforts are planned.

Article Details

Event Type
Joint international law enforcement and industry operation targeting online scam operations in West Africa.
Impact
The operation resulted in 28 arrests, the rescue of 117 trafficking victims, the removal of more than 3.7 million accounts, groups and pages from Facebook and Instagram, the identification of more than $11 million in potentially freezable funds, the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices, and the sharing of more than 30 leads on scam centers.

People

Jeanine PirroU.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; said the operation followed a new partnership with the United Kingdom.Kelly MillironActing chief of staff and counselor to the Assistant Attorney General leading the Criminal Division; commented on the operation.Matthew FloydDeputy assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; discussed identifying and pursuing potentially freezable assets.

Countries

AustraliaNational Cybercrime Center and the Ghanaian Cyber Security Authority, INTERPOL and agencies from Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand also were involved.CanadaCybercrime Center and the Ghanaian Cyber Security Authority, INTERPOL and agencies from Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand also were involved.GhanaThe operation actually began in September, with a series of raids in Ghana before last week’s designated action.IndiaCenter and the Ghanaian Cyber Security Authority, INTERPOL and agencies from Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand also were involved.New Zealandand the Ghanaian Cyber Security Authority, INTERPOL and agencies from Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand also were involved.NigeriaTask Force, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the Nigerian Joint Case Team on Cybercrimes, the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Center and the Ghanaian Cyber Security Authority, INTERPOL andUnited Kingdomthe Treasury Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Homeland Security Task Force, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the Nigerian Joint Case Team on Cybercrimes, the Nigeria Police Force’sUnited StatesMeta said it removed more than 3.7 million accounts, groups and pages from Facebook and Instagram based in West Africa, a majority of which targeted people in the United States and United Kingdom.