Mass Arrests Across Africa in Crackdown on Sextortion and Romance Scams

Published: 26 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

In a sweeping cross-border operation coordinated by Interpol and funded by the United Kingdom, law enforcement agencies across 14 African countries have arrested more than 260 suspects linked to a surge in online sextortion and romance scams. The sting, conducted between July and August, has been described as one of the largest cybercrime crackdowns on the continent to date, targeting sophisticated criminal networks that exploited vulnerable individuals through digital platforms.

The investigation, known as the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime project, sought to dismantle syndicates that lured unsuspecting victims into relationships online, only to extort them for money using fabricated stories, falsified identities, or explicit imagery. Authorities estimate that more than 1,400 victims were identified across countries including Ghana, Kenya, Angola, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, with combined financial losses of nearly $2.8 million.

Speaking to the BBC’s Newsday programme, Interpol’s director of cybercrime, Neal Jetton, explained the psychology behind the scams. “It doesn’t take long before you develop a connection with somebody… and very quickly this trust is shattered,” he said, describing how victims are manipulated into believing they are engaging with genuine partners before being blackmailed or defrauded. While victims came from a wide range of age groups, Jetton noted that older people were particularly vulnerable to these types of schemes.

Authorities revealed that police tracked digital infrastructure, internet protocol (IP) addresses, domains, and social media accounts linked to the networks. This intelligence led to dozens of arrests, the seizure of hundreds of devices, SIM cards, and forged documents, and the takedown of 81 separate cyber-crime groups operating across the continent. Interpol emphasised that the goal was not only to apprehend individuals but to permanently disrupt and dismantle the structures behind these organised scams.

Cyril Gout, Interpol’s acting executive director of police services, said the operation highlighted the rapid expansion of digital-enabled crimes in Africa. “Cybercrime units across Africa are reporting a sharp rise in digital-enabled crimes such as sextortion and romance scams,” he explained. “The growth of online platforms has opened new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit victims, causing both financial loss and psychological harm.”

The crackdown uncovered specific national trends that illustrated both the scale and diversity of the problem. In Ghana, where 68 suspects were arrested, police seized 835 electronic devices and identified 108 victims. Investigators discovered scams ranging from falsified courier and customs fees to the use of secretly recorded intimate video chats, which were later leveraged to extort victims. Authorities in Ghana recovered $70,000 of the estimated $450,000 stolen during the scams.

In Senegal, 22 individuals were arrested in connection with a network that impersonated celebrities and manipulated victims emotionally on dating platforms and social media. This group is accused of defrauding 120 victims of approximately $34,000. Police seized 65 devices, falsified identification documents, and evidence of money transfers linked to the scam.

Ivory Coast emerged as another major hotspot, with 24 suspects arrested and 29 devices seized. Investigators identified an extraordinary 809 victims, most of whom were targeted through fake online profiles designed to pressure them into paying to avoid exposure.

In Angola, authorities arrested eight suspects and identified 28 victims, both domestic and international. Criminals there used forged documents and fabricated identities to conceal their activities while engaging in elaborate schemes to siphon money from their targets.

Other countries that took part in the coordinated operation included Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. Each nation contributed to a regional enforcement effort aimed at tackling what officials say has become the most common form of cybercrime across Africa.

“Whenever we ask a country to rank their top cyber threat, without fail, it is always online scams,” Jetton noted. “It is very difficult to combat these kinds of crimes – millions of people click on phishing emails per day. The sheer scale makes it a persistent challenge.”

The operation underscores the growing complexity of cybercrime networks, which rely on digital anonymity, cross-border coordination, and psychological manipulation. Romance scams and sextortion, once regarded as isolated online fraud, have now grown into billion-dollar industries globally, affecting not only finances but also mental health and personal security. Victims often experience shame, trauma, and a sense of betrayal that can last long after the financial damage is done.

Interpol has vowed to continue targeting the criminal organisations behind these scams, working with governments, digital platforms, and financial institutions to prevent the spread of cyber-enabled fraud. Authorities stress that public awareness remains one of the most important tools in combating these crimes. With the increasing availability of social media and dating apps, officials warn that criminals will continue to adapt and innovate, making vigilance essential.

For now, the arrests mark a rare but significant victory in the battle against online exploitation, sending a strong signal that Africa’s cybercrime syndicates are no longer beyond the reach of international law enforcement.