A major cybercrime sting operation coordinated by Interpol has led to the arrest of 260 suspects across 14 African countries, including 68 in Ghana, for their roles in online romance scams and sextortion schemes.
Conducted between July and August 2025, the operation—part of the African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime and funded by the UK—targeted digital fraudsters exploiting social media and online platforms to scam over 1,400 victims out of nearly $2.8 million (USD).
In Ghana, authorities seized 835 electronic devices, identified 108 victims, and recovered $70,000 of an estimated $450,000 in losses. The scammers were found to be using various digital tools and online personas to emotionally manipulate victims or blackmail them with explicit content.
According to Interpol, the operation involved tracking IP addresses, online infrastructure, and social media accounts linked to the criminal networks. Cyril Gout, acting executive director of Interpol’s police services, noted a sharp rise in digital-enabled crimes like sextortion across Africa.
The success of this operation not only highlights growing international collaboration in fighting cybercrime but also the need for public awareness to combat evolving digital threats.
