Cybercrime: Interpol questions 574 people in Benin and in 18 other countries.
Interpol announced the arrest of 574 individuals as part of a wide international operation conducted simultaneously in Benin and in 18 other African countries.
The operation, coordinated by the global policing organization, aims to strengthen the fight against cybercrime, a scourge on the rise that is increasingly mobilizing security services at the continental level.
According to the judicial authorities involved, the people apprehended are suspected of involvement in various forms of online crime, including scams, financial fraud, identity theft, and the dissemination of malware. These offenses cause substantial harm to victims, affecting both individuals and businesses.
In Benin, several suspects were arrested following operations conducted jointly by the specialized services of the Republican Police and international partners. Field actions led to the seizure of computer equipment, mobile phones, and digital media used, according to investigators, to plan and execute acts of cybercrime.
Interpol clarified that these arrests are part of a global strategy of cooperation between the law enforcement forces of African states and international services. This strategy aims to dismantle cross-border criminal networks, strengthen local investigative capabilities, and improve information-sharing mechanisms between jurisdictions.
The scope of the operation is considered significant by authorities, who believe that such initiatives help deter cybercriminals and protect citizens from increasingly sophisticated forms of fraud.
The arrested individuals must now be presented to the competent judicial authorities, so that appropriate prosecutions are brought in accordance with the national laws in force.
This series of arrests highlights the magnitude of the challenge posed by cybercrime in Africa, as well as the importance of a coordinated response between states and international organizations to effectively address it.
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