Explore the Archive

INTERPOL arrested 260 alleged romance scammers, sextortionists, and online fraudsters across 14 African nations in "Operation Contender 3.0," identifying over 1,400 victims with estimated losses of nearly US $2.8 million. Law enforcement seized 1,235 electronic devices and dismantled 81 cybercriminal infrastructures used to lure victims and launder payments. The operation highlights the surge of digital crime across Africa, where sextortion attacks and romance scams are particularly prevalent due to low barriers to entry and high profit potential, with many victims reluctant to report crimes due to shame.

An Interpol-coordinated operation spanning 14 African countries arrested 260 cybercrime suspects and dismantled 81 criminal networks involved in romance scams and sextortion, resulting in approximately $2.8 million in losses across nearly 1,500 victims. Ghana accounted for the largest portion of arrests (68 suspects) with victims losing $450,000, while other countries including Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Angola also made significant arrests; authorities seized electronic devices, forged documents, and SIM cards used in the schemes. The operation highlighted the growing threat of digitally-enabled fraud on social media and dating platforms across Africa, with

International law enforcement arrested 260 suspects and seized 1,235 electronic devices across 14 African countries in Operation Condor 3.0 (July-August), a crackdown on romance scams and sextortion rings operated by criminal syndicates originating in Southeast Asia. The operation identified 1,463 victims who lost an estimated $2.8 million and dismantled 81 cybercrime infrastructures, highlighting the growing threat of digitally-enabled scams exploiting human vulnerabilities across Africa and globally.

INTERPOL has built a specialized network of cybercrime officers across Africa's 54 countries to combat the growing cyber threat, which now accounts for up to 30% of crime in some regions. Through coordinated operations and intelligence sharing with member countries and private partners, INTERPOL has achieved significant results, including over 1,200 arrests and nearly $100 million in recovered funds in their latest Africa-wide operation (Serengeti 2.0). The organization emphasizes rapid information exchange and cross-border collaboration to detect and respond to phishing, malware, and ransomware campaigns targeting financial institutions and vulnerable populations.

Interpol arrested 260 suspects across 14 African countries in July and August for orchestrating online romance and sextortion scams that victimized over 1,400 people and stole nearly $2.8 million. Ghanaian authorities arrested 68 suspects who used fake identities to charge victims fraudulent shipping fees and blackmail them with explicit videos, while in Senegal, 22 suspects impersonated celebrities on social media to defraud over 100 victims of $34,000. The operation underscores the growing prevalence of digital crimes, including romance scams and sextortion, facilitated by online platforms.

**Summary:** Interpol arrested 260 individuals across 14 African nations in a coordinated operation targeting romance scam and sextortion networks operating during July and August. The perpetrators defrauded over 1,400 victims of approximately $2.8 million by building fake romantic relationships, then demanding money or blackmailing victims with compromising images. Notable arrests included 68 suspects in Ghana, 22 in Senegal, and 24 in Ivory Coast, with authorities attributing the rise in these crimes to expanded access to online platforms.

An Interpol-coordinated crackdown across 14 African countries in July and August resulted in the arrest of 260 suspects involved in online romance scams and sextortion schemes that targeted over 1,400 victims and caused nearly $2.8 million in losses. The operation revealed a sharp rise in digital-enabled crimes where perpetrators use fake identities and social media profiles to build romantic relationships, extract money through false fees, or blackmail victims with intimate images. Notable arrests included 68 suspects in Ghana, 22 in Senegal who impersonated celebrities, and 24 in Côte d'Ivoire engaged in sextortion activities.

Interpol arrested over 250 suspected cybercriminals across 14 African nations in Operation Contender 3.0, disrupting romance scams and sextortion schemes that targeted approximately 1,500 victims with estimated losses near $3 million. The operation, conducted in late July through early August, identified digital infrastructure used by scam syndicates that exploited victims' trust and emotional vulnerabilities through fake romance profiles and blackmail using explicit imagery. Ghana led the crackdown with approximately 70 arrests, while operations in other countries including Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire dismantled networks impersonating celebrities and operating organized sextortion rings.

A coordinated Interpol operation across 14 African countries resulted in the arrest of approximately 260 suspected cyber scammers involved in romance scams and sextortion between July and August. Over 1,400 victims, including many elderly individuals, lost a combined $2.8 million, with the operation also dismantling 81 cyber-crime groups and seizing numerous devices and forged documents. Ghana saw the most arrests with 68 suspects and $70,000 recovered from $450,000 in losses, while other countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast uncovered additional networks using fake profiles and blackmail tactics to defraud victims.

An Interpol-coordinated crackdown across 14 African countries in July and August resulted in the arrest of 260 suspects involved in online romance and sextortion scams that targeted over 1,400 victims and caused nearly $2.8 million in losses. The operation focused on perpetrators who used fake identities and profiles to build romantic relationships, extract money through false fees, and blackmail victims with explicit images, with Ghana accounting for 68 arrests and Senegal for 22 arrests of suspects posing as celebrities.

During Operation Contender 3.0 (July 28–August 11, 2025), authorities in 14 African countries arrested 260 suspects and seized 1,235 electronic devices in a coordinated crackdown on cybercrime networks using romance scams and sextortion schemes. The operation identified 1,463 victims with estimated losses of USD 2.8 million, dismantling 81 cybercrime infrastructures across Africa through international collaboration between law enforcement and private sector partners. Notable outcomes included Ghana's arrest of 68 suspects with USD 450,000 in identified losses (USD 70,000 recovered), Senegal's takedown

An Interpol-coordinated crackdown in July and August resulted in 260 arrests across 14 African countries involved in online romance and sextortion scams that targeted over 1,400 victims and caused losses of approximately $2.8 million USD. The scams involved perpetrators using fake identities and profiles to build romantic relationships, extort money through false fees, and blackmail victims with explicit images. Interpol highlighted that the proliferation of online platforms has created new avenues for criminal networks to exploit victims financially and psychologically.

In July-August 2025, authorities across 14 African countries arrested 260 people in Operation Contender 3.0, a coordinated INTERPOL crackdown on cybercrime including romance scams and sextortion schemes. The operation identified nearly 1,500 victims, seized over 1,200 electronic devices, and estimated losses at $2.8 million, with Ghana recording the highest arrests (68 suspects, $70,000 recovered) and Côte d'Ivoire dismantling a sextortion ring affecting over 800 victims. The coordinated action highlights the growing threat of digital-enabled crimes across Africa and the critical need for

**"Scamfluencers" on social media platforms like YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok are openly teaching followers—increasingly teenagers—how to commit online fraud, with figures like "Format Boy" providing step-by-step tutorials on romance scams, fake identities, and deepfake technology, while others like Hushpuppi glamorize fraud-funded lifestyles. These content creators use motivational language and entertainment framing to normalize scamming, putting vulnerable young people at risk of both becoming perpetrators and victims of online fraud.**

A House Financial Services Committee hearing highlighted that fraud and scams cost Americans over $2 billion weekly, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in annual losses for 2024, though experts believe the true figure is significantly higher due to lack of unified tracking mechanisms. The testimony and accompanying research emphasize that combating this fragmented, internationally-organized problem requires a comprehensive national strategy with coordinated buy-in from social media companies, telecommunications firms, financial institutions, law enforcement, and government agencies, along with legal protections allowing institutions to share fraud data. Key scams affecting Americans include romance, sextortion, "pig butchering," AI-generated voice calls impersonating family members

Nigerian national Olamide Shanu was extradited from the UK and prosecuted in U.S. federal court for his role in cyber-enabled sextortion, romance scams, and wire fraud that defrauded victims of at least $2 million. Shanu and accomplices posed as women on social media to solicit sexually explicit images from male victims, then extorted money by threatening to release the images to their contacts, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer payment platforms. Shanu faces an eight-count indictment including wire fraud, extortion, and money laundering, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Two Athens residents fell victim to romance scams in August 2024, with a 69-year-old losing $294,000 and a 71-year-old losing $2,000 to women they met online, prompting Adult Protective Services investigations. The Athens Community Council on Aging responded by hosting a "Scam Jam" workshop on September 24, 2024, featuring experts in financial security and law enforcement to help seniors and families recognize romance fraud warning signs. Romance scams, where criminals create fake online identities to gain victims' trust and money, represent a growing threat to older adults nationwide, with elder Americans reporting over 3,318 sextortion complaints in

This article does not describe elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. It is a political statement regarding allegations against a Nigerian activist and publisher, involving disputes over fund management and political matters unrelated to elderly populations. This falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud and abuse targeting older adults.

Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited to the U.S. and charged with operating sextortion and romance scams that defrauded numerous victims across the country of at least $2 million. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce victims into sending explicit images, then extorted money by threatening to share the images, while also running parallel romance scams using fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money through payment apps, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. If convicted on charges including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and cyberstalking, Shanu faces up to 20 years in

Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited from the United Kingdom and charged in federal court in Idaho with defrauding victims of at least $2 million through sextortion and romance scams. Shanu and co-conspirators allegedly posed as women on social media to trick male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to distribute them unless payments were made, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer payment apps. He faces eight federal charges carrying up to 20 years in prison and potential restitution to victims.

Olamide Shanu, 34, a Nigerian national, was extradited to the United States and charged with eight counts including wire fraud, extortion, and cyberstalking for operating sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the United States. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to distribute those images unless paid, defrauding victims of at least $2 million with proceeds laundered through peer-to-peer payment apps and cryptocurrency. If convicted, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.

A 34-year-old Nigerian man was extradited to the United States to face federal charges for operating cyber-enabled sextortion and romance scams that targeted victims across the country, including an Idaho college student. Shanu and his co-conspirators impersonated women on social media to coerce victims into sharing sexual images, then extorted money by threatening to distribute the images to family and friends, while also conducting romance scams and laundering at least $2 million in proceeds through payment platforms and cryptocurrency. If convicted on eight counts including wire fraud, identity theft, extortion, and money laundering, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison and restitution to victims.

An organized gang in Agra, Uttar Pradesh was arrested for systematically blackmailing young men through dating apps and social media, using female accomplices to lure victims into compromising situations that were recorded and used for extortion. In one case, a victim was coerced to pay 200,000 rupees after being recorded at a hotel under false pretenses, with the gang continuing demands even after partial payments. Police emphasize awareness and caution as safeguards, while national data shows a 28% increase in online sexual exploitation and blackmail crimes in India in 2022.

Two flight attendants at Biman Bangladesh Airlines orchestrated romance scams targeting affluent business class passengers, using their positions to build trust, manipulate travel schedules, and extract gifts, cash, and intimate media totaling nearly $18,000 before ghosting or blackmailing victims. Complaints filed with the airline and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh involved at least two confirmed victims—a Doha-based businessman and a Dhaka resident—who experienced emotional manipulation, threats, and demands for valuables including an iPhone 16, diamond rings, and wedding funds. The case highlights how scammers exploit professional roles and travel contexts to gain victim confidence, with investigators examining whether victims from other

This resource is a law enforcement guide for investigating cryptocurrency-enabled scams, which have caused at least $53 billion in losses since 2023, with figures likely underreported due to delayed victim reporting. The guide provides investigators with essential terminology, investigation methodologies, and blockchain forensics techniques to trace fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions and identify the real-world controllers behind pseudonymous addresses. It serves as a practical manual for police and law enforcement professionals to understand and combat crypto-related investment scams, phishing schemes, and other cryptocurrency fraud.

Two Nigerian men face lengthy prison sentences in the United States after pleading guilty to serious crimes: Leslie Mba, 40, admitted to orchestrating romance scams and business email fraud schemes that stole $4 million from American victims between 2018 and 2023, along with fraudulent immigration applications, while 22-year-old Godson Oghenebrume pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm while on a student visa. Mba faces up to 20 years in prison with potential fines, with sentencing scheduled for February 2026, while Oghenebrume faces separate charges. To protect themselves, people should be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances from strangers online, verify requests for money or personal information directly with known contacts, and report suspicious emails or communications to authorities.

# Romance and Extortion Scams in North Carolina A tragic case in North Carolina has exposed the deadly risks of online romance scams, where a Jonesborough man was manipulated and extorted by scammers posing as romantic interests before taking his own life in October 2023. North Carolina has seen a surge in various scams affecting over 500 victims and $17 million in losses, including romance fraud, impersonation schemes, and sextortion targeting vulnerable individuals—ranging from elderly residents to teenagers. To protect yourself, authorities advise verifying any unsolicited contact by independently calling known numbers, never sharing personal or financial information with unverified callers, and being cautious of online profiles pressuring you for money, cryptocurrency investments, or wire transfers.

# Romance Scams Summary Romance scammers create fake online profiles to build emotional relationships with victims, ultimately tricking them into sending money or personal information by exploiting people's desire for connection. Red flags include someone moving too fast in a relationship, requesting money, or refusing video calls—scammers often hide on dating apps and social media platforms where they can easily maintain false identities. To protect yourself, be cautious of online connections who you've never met in person, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to someone you haven't met; according to the FTC, consumers lost over $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023 alone.

This Marketplace investigation exposes a sextortion scam targeting teenagers, particularly young boys, in which criminals create fake female Instagram profiles to lure victims into sending nude photos before blackmailing them for money. The reporters demonstrate how scammers operate by setting up realistic-looking fake accounts, infiltrating follower lists, and using social engineering to manipulate victims into compromising situations. The piece reveals that families across Canada are dealing with the serious consequences of this extortion scheme.

A Nigerian man was extradited from the UK to face eight federal charges for allegedly defrauding Idahoans out of at least $2 million through romance and sextortion scams. He posed as a woman on social media to deceive male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to share the photos with their families unless they paid. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Former Nashville TV meteorologist Brie Smith has been battling an AI-driven sextortion scam for months in which criminals used deepfake technology to create explicit images and videos of her to extort money from her followers. The FBI reports that sextortion scams have targeted tens of thousands of Americans in the past year, with Smith documenting at least 24 fraudulent accounts impersonating her within a single week. Smith ultimately left her position at the local CBS station in January due to the ongoing harassment and emotional toll of fighting the scammers.

Romance scams surge around Valentine's Day, with scammers using sophisticated tactics like the "wrong number" text approach to build trust with lonely people over days or weeks before requesting money or gift cards. Victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars falling for these schemes, which often involve stolen photos of attractive people found on social media or modeling websites. Red flags include requests for money, inconsistent details, and photos that reverse-image search reveals are used elsewhere online; users can verify identities through reverse image search tools and avoid using the same profile photos across multiple platforms.

Police and the Better Business Bureau are warning Wisconsin residents about a "sextortion" email scam in which fraudsters claim to have compromising video footage and demand approximately $2,000 in bitcoin, using publicly available personal information like phone numbers, addresses, and home photos to appear credible. The scammers, typically located in Africa, threaten to send the alleged videos to the victim's contacts unless payment is made; authorities advise recipients to ignore the emails and report them rather than respond, as the scammers will move on to other targets if no payment is received.

This WIRED article features "Scammer Payback," a YouTube scam-baiting channel, answering audience questions about common fraud tactics and red flags. The content identifies three major warning signs of scams: scammers pressuring victims to make quick decisions (especially involving gift cards or Cash App transfers), requests for remote access to computers or phones, and demands for untraceable payment methods like Bitcoin or wire transfers. The educational piece emphasizes that time pressure is a deliberate tactic scammers use to prevent victims from consulting family members or others who might intervene.

This interview with Police Sergeant Ken Hatter addresses the "hello pervert" sextortion scam, in which fraudsters claim to have spied on victims through webcams and demand payment in Bitcoin. Hatter explains that these are mass-template emails sent to multiple recipients and are definitively scams, as actual hackers with computer access would steal money directly rather than request it via email.

"Sextortion" scams are targeting victims nationwide by claiming spyware has been installed on their computers, allowing scammers to capture webcam footage and screenshots of their online activity. The scammers threaten to send this alleged evidence to the victim's contacts unless they pay a ransom, using personalized details like names, addresses, and photos to appear credible. The FBI recognizes this as an extortion scheme that relies on volume and fear to pressure victims into paying.

A new extortion scam targets victims with personalized threatening emails containing their home addresses, phone numbers, and photos from Google Street View, falsely claiming the sender has installed spyware and possesses compromising images. The scammer demands payment in bitcoin (approximately $2,000 in the case documented) threatening to release the alleged images to the victim's contacts, exploiting data from previous breaches to make the threats appear credible. Cybersecurity experts note this is a modern variation of classic extortion tactics that exploits victims' fear and the sophistication of personalized information collection.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 880,000 complaints last year, a 10% increase from 2022, with blackmail scam emails being a prevalent threat. These emails threaten recipients with claims of embarrassing footage or compromised browsing data and often include personal details like names, addresses, and street view images to appear credible. Experts note that while these scams are rarely genuine, they are personalized enough to deceive even cautious individuals.

Meta removed approximately 63,000 accounts linked to sextortion scams, primarily operated by criminals based in Nigeria. The scammers created fake Facebook accounts using stolen photos, built trust with victims through messaging, then solicited intimate photos before threatening to publicly release them unless payment was made. The scam operates as an extortion scheme designed to financially exploit victims through blackmail threats.

A mother in Australia intervened when her teenage son was targeted by online sextortion—a scam where criminals blackmail victims using intimate images or threats to coerce money or further exploitation. The mother's quick action likely prevented her son from harming himself, though she later learned of another young person who died by suicide after falling victim to the same scheme. Experts warn that sextortion can occur on any platform with chat functions, and parents are urged to maintain open communication with their children and educate them about not sharing personal information or intimate images online.

A financial columnist for New York magazine fell victim to an elaborate multi-stage scam in which fraudsters impersonating Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and a CIA investigator convinced her to withdraw $50,000 and hand it to them in cash over the course of a five-hour phone call. The scammers exploited her vulnerability by threatening her family and creating a false sense of urgency, using isolation tactics to prevent her from seeking help or verification. She came forward with her story to highlight that scam victims span all demographics and professions, and that sophisticated scammers are skilled at identifying and exploiting individual vulnerabilities.