Interpol Arrests 260 Romance Scammers
Photo: Laurent Cirpiani/AP/TT

Interpol Arrests 260 Romance Scammers in Africa Cybercrime Operation

260 suspected individuals specializing in romance and extortion scams have been arrested in various African countries, in a coordinated operation against cybercrime by Interpol, the organization announces.

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The suspects are alleged to have deceived 1,400 victims for a total of at least the equivalent of 26 million kronor. The arrests were made in July and August and focused on scams where perpetrators build up romantic relationships online to swindle money from the victims or blackmail them with sensitive images, according to the international police organization.

"Cybercrime units across Africa are reporting a significant increase in digitally enabled crimes such as 'sextortion' and romance scams," says Cyril Gout, acting head of Interpol's police services, in a statement.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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