Interpol’s Operation Jackal IV nets 58 arrests and seizes $2.67 million in crypto‑related fraud crackdown

Interpol’s Operation Jackal IV, conducted from November 2025 through June 2026, focused on crypto‑investment scams, romance fraud and money‑laundering networks linked to West African organized crime. Law‑enforcement agencies from 22 countries across six continents participated.

Key enforcement actions

• South Africa: Police raided seven locations in Johannesburg, arresting 39 individuals, seizing $2.67 million, and blocking 257 bank accounts.
• Argentina: Federal police uncovered a Crime‑as‑a‑Service network, arresting 17 suspects and identifying 196 related individuals.
• Romania: Authorities dismantled a call‑center scheme that allegedly moved €143 million, arresting 11 people and seizing €330,000 in cash and crypto, six properties and luxury watches.
• Italy: Investigators identified one suspect tied to a money‑laundering network that processed €845,000 across 560 transactions.

Operational highlights

Interpol facilitated cross‑border intelligence sharing, financial analysis and specialist training for investigators. The agency highlighted the role of “conversion” and “retention” agents who turn initial contacts into paying victims and keep existing victims sending money.

Broader context

The operation follows earlier Interpol actions, such as Operation First Light, which produced thousands of arrests and seized hundreds of millions of dollars. U.S. authorities continue parallel efforts, seeking forfeiture of $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to similar scams.

Impact on criminal infrastructure

Investigators noted that West African groups increasingly purchase Crime‑as‑a‑Service tools from external providers, using dark‑web markets to outsource website hosting, money‑laundering services and other technical functions.