Interpol arrests 58 in crackdown on crypto investment scams

INTERPOL has reported 58 arrests, 263 identified suspects and $2.67 million seized after a 22-country operation targeted crypto investment scams, romance fraud and money laundering networks. Summary Operation Jackal IV involved 22 countries across six continents between November 2025 and June 2026. Police arrested 58 people and identified 263 suspects linked to West African organized crime networks. South African authorities seized $2.67 million and blocked 257 bank accounts after raids in Johannesburg. Romanian police arrested 11 suspects in an investment scheme linked to an estimated €143 million. According to an official INTERPOL release published on Aug. 25, Operation Jackal IV ran for eight months from November 2025 through June 2026 and focused on the financial systems used by West African organized crime groups. Authorities from 22 countries across six continents took part in the operation, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Argentina, Nigeria, Romania, and several European countries. Investigators focused on groups such as Black Axe and similar criminal organizations accused of running romance scams, fake cryptoc...