Jackal IV: Interpol's Crackdown on West African Crime-as-a-Service Networks
Operation Jackal IV scope Interpol's Operation Jackal IV ran from November 2025 to June 2026 targeting West African crime-as-a-service networks and groups like Black Axe. The eight-month operation involved 22 countries across six continents and aimed to disrupt money laundering networks, identify high-value criminal targets, seize illicit assets, and support the arrest and prosecution of suspects linked to organised crime. Fifty-eight people linked to organised West African cyber-crime groups were arrested and 263 suspects identified. The operation represented a coordinated international response to the growing global threat posed by West African criminal networks. The help net security source confirmed that Operation Jackal IV ran from November 2025 to June 2026 with the goal of disrupting money laundering, identifying high-value targets, seizing assets, and supporting arrests and prosecutions tied to groups such as Black Axe.
Arrests and suspect count Fifty-eight arrests and 263 suspects across 22 countries marked the primary outcomes of Jackal IV. Interpol said the operation was a response to the escalating global threat posed by these criminal networks, believed to be behind a significant share of cyber-enabled financial fraud. The scope of arrests spanned six continents, demonstrating the worldwide reach of these syndicates. The BBC source also confirmed that 58 people linked to organised West African cyber-crime groups were arrested across 22 countries and six continents, with 263 suspects identified.
Regional arrest results South Africa saw seven sites linked to romance and investment scams raided, with local police making 39 arrests, seizing $2.67 million and blocking 257 bank accounts. In Argentina, 196 individuals were identified for their alleged roles in a major Crime-as-a-Service network suspected of providing website domains and money laundering support to West African organised crime groups, resulting in 17 arrests. Italian authorities arrested one person for a laundering network using shell companies and remittance services, with one account moving €845,000 through 560 transactions. Romanian police shut down a call center scam and an investment scam where victims' money went to electronic wallets. The help net security source detailed that in Argentina 196 individuals were linked to a network suspected of selling website domains and money laundering services to West African crime groups, with 17 arrests; in Italy one person for a laundering network using shell companies and remittance services with one account moving €845,000 through 560 transactions; and in Romania a call center scam shutdown and investment scam through call center where victims' money went to electronic wallets.
Financial seizure scale Interpol estimates €143 million stolen and laundered worldwide through these operations. The help net security source reported that alongside the arrests, €330,000 in cash and cryptocurrency was seized, along with six properties and several luxury watches. The operation disrupted money laundering networks that had been funneling illicit proceeds across borders. The BBC source noted that Interpol estimates €143 million stolen and laundered worldwide, with 11 arrests, €330,000 in cash and cryptocurrency, six properties and several luxury watches seized.
New crime trends A troubling new trend identified during Jackal IV was the increasing use of sextortion against minors, with some victims as young as 14 years old. Criminal syndicates were observed procuring Crime-as-a-Service from external providers, often through the dark web, to outsource key activities like money laundering. These groups typically operate romance scams, cryptocurrency scams, and business email compromise fraud, targeting retirees in English-speaking countries. The BBC source confirmed that sextortion targeting minors as young as 14 emerged as an emerging trend from the operation, and that groups launder money and how financial fraud cyber crimes such as cryptocurrency and email compromise fraud were conducted, with scams often targeting retirees in English-speaking countries.
Black Axe network profile Black Axe described as a shadowy criminal network with trafficking, prostitution and killing operations around the world. Nigeria serves as its main recruitment ground and many members are university educated and inducted during their schooling. The group is responsible for a significant share of the world's cyber-enabled financial fraud, including romance scams, cryptocurrency and investment scams, as well as business email compromise fraud. Both sources consistently confirm Black Axe's structure and recruitment methods. The help net security source stated that Black Axe is described as shadowy criminal network with trafficking, prostitution and killing operations; main recruitment in Nigeria where many members are university-educated and inducted during schooling. The BBC source added that Black Axe is a shadowy criminal network with trafficking, prostitution and killing operations around the world, with Nigeria as its main recruitment ground and many members university educated and inducted during their schooling.
Jackal III legacy In 2024, Jackal III led to the arrests of 300 people linked to Black Axe and other affiliated groups. That previous operation seized $3 million in illegal assets and froze more than 700 bank accounts. Jackal IV built on that foundation, demonstrating the power of international cooperation while uncovering new threat vectors like dark web Crime-as-a-Service procurement and minor sextortion networks. The help net security source noted that Jackal III in 2024 previously led to 300 arrests linked to Black Axe, and the BBC source confirmed that Jackal III led to arrests of 300 people linked to Black Axe and other affiliated groups.
Overall assessment Operation Jackal IV succeeded in disrupting significant segments of West African crime-as-a-service infrastructure and arresting 58 key operatives while identifying 263 additional suspects. The seizure of €143 million in laundered funds and the blocking of hundreds of bank accounts represents a major blow to these networks. However, the emergence of new threat vectors—particularly sextortion of minors as young as 14 and the outsourcing of money laundering through Crime-as-a-Service providers on the dark web—suggests these criminal ecosystems are adapting rather than dissolving. Sustained international coordination will be critical to preventing these groups from rearming under new operational models.