208 bank accounts have been frozen, and 103 people with connections to online financial fraud have been arrested in relation to organized crime in West Africa, according to Interpol.
More than two hundred bank accounts that were linked to the illegal proceeds of online financial crime were frozen as a result of the operation, according to the international criminal police agency that published the information.
It was stated that several kingpins were detained because the criminal networks they oversaw were seen to pose a threat to world security.
It was highlighted that the crackdown, which was given the code name Operation Jackal and took place between the 15th and the 29th of May, was a targeted strike against Black Axe and other similar West African organised crime groups and was carried out by police forces, financial crime units, and cybercrime agencies that were activated across 21 nations around the world.
Interpol made a remark that highlighted the results of the raid: “€2.15m seized or frozen, 103 arrests, 1,110 suspects identified, and 208 bank accounts blocked.”
On the organisation’s website, the Director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Isaac Oginni, said, “Organised crime is mostly driven by financial gain and Interpol is committed to working with our member countries to deprive these groups of their ill-gotten assets.”
“This successful operation involving so many countries clearly shows what can be achieved through international cooperation, and will serve as a blueprint for concerted police action against financial crime in the future.”
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Interpol’s earlier arrests
The International Police have issued an arrest warrant for a Nigerian businesswoman named Ese Cynthia Daniel in connection with an alleged fraud involving N750 million.
The declaration was made in response to a warrant of arrest that had been granted to the Nigeria Police Force by a Magistrates Court in Lagos State.
The warrant was numbered CR: 3000X/ICPO/ADM/LD/VCP/Vol. 4/93 and was published in an INTERPOL bulletin.
According to the report, Ese, a resident of Delta State, had a plot to defraudly convert the amount in Lagos between January 24 and January 26, 2023, and the bulletin mentioned that Ese was involved in the plot.
The suspect is believed to have received the aforementioned sum under the guise of offering to pay the sum in United States dollars; however, the suspect ultimately refused to do so and fled to London.
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Content of the bulletin
The bulletin read, “The above named person is hereby declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force.”
“A warrant of arrest issued by the Magistrate Court of Lagos. She is wanted by the police for the offences of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion of funds to the tune of N750million on 24th–26th January, 2023 in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria.”
“The suspect obtained the sum of N750million under the pretence of paying United States of America dollars, but she declined and absconded to London.”
“She is from Delta State, Uhorobo by tribe, Business woman, Aged 44 Years, 5 8ft Height. Medium Build, Oval Face, Long Broad Nose, Small Mouth, Thin Lips, Good Teeth. Black Eyes, Dark in Complexion, Pointed Chin, Black Hair, Small Head, High Forehead, Fraudster in Habits. Always dress in English, Home Address: Close 302, Terrace 4, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos. Nigeria, and also resides at No. 1, Magnolia Road, Chiswick, London WA430Y.”
“If seen arrest and hand over to the nearest Police Station or to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (INTERPOL) Head of National Central Bureau (NCB), Force Headquarters, Shehu Shagan Way, Abuja. or Call 07060498408.”
