INTERPOL's 'Contender 3.0' Nets 260 Cybercrime Suspects in Africa
INTERPOL has just concluded a major operation across Africa, arresting 260 individuals suspected of cybercrime, including romance scams and sextortion. The operation, named 'Contender 3.0', spanned 14 countries and resulted in the dismantling of 81 criminal infrastructures.
Over the course of two months, from July to August, INTERPOL coordinated the arrest of these alleged criminals. The operation targeted romance scammers, sextortionists, and online fraudsters, with a focus on dismantling their infrastructure. Authorities seized 1,235 electronic devices and took control of websites and servers used to lure victims and launder payments.
The operation comes amidst a rise in sextortion attacks in 60% of African countries and a high prevalence of cybercrime in two-thirds of the continent's nations. Ghanaian fraudsters were recently extradited to the USA for a romance scam that conned over US $100 million. The total estimated losses from these crimes amount to nearly US $2.8 million, with over 1400 victims identified. Many victims may feel embarrassed to report these crimes, leading to an increased likelihood of repeat offenses.
INTERPOL's 'Contender 3.0' operation highlights the growing threat of cybercrime in Africa, with romance scams and sextortion proving particularly attractive to criminals due to their low barrier to entry and high potential reward. The successful dismantling of 81 criminal infrastructures and the arrest of 260 suspects send a strong message to cybercriminals and serve as a warning to potential victims.
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