# NCA Coordinates Global Operation Dismantling African Cyber Fraud Networks International coalition takes down millions of scam profiles and freezes illicit funds. - **Source:** [computerweekly.com](https://www.computerweekly.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-13 - **Topic:** [Software & Engineering](https://brifing.si/c/engineering) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/09ba03aa-e542-4ef5-97e8-76c9f8cf3b3d ## Multinational Law Enforcement Summit The UK’s National Crime Agency hosted over 100 international law enforcement officers in London, including representatives from the FBI, Nigerian Police Force, and Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority. The operational intensification focused on dismantling organized cyber fraud networks operating across Africa that victimize individuals worldwide. ## Tech Sector Integration Major technology firms including Meta and Google collaborated directly with investigators, processing streams of reporting data from Report Fraud. This public-private alliance enabled the immediate identification of criminal infrastructure, leading to the removal and suspension of approximately 3.7 million fake profiles used for fraud schemes. ## Raids Across West Africa Coordinated on-the-ground enforcement resulted in nearly 30 arrests across Ghana and Nigeria. In Sasaabi, outside Accra, authorities detained 19 suspects and confiscated 303 electronic devices. Meanwhile, operations in Nigeria's Delta State led to nine arrests alongside the seizure of multiple laptops, smartphones, and routers. ## Human Trafficking Intersections The raids exposed deep ties between organized cyber syndicates and human trafficking. In Ghana, law enforcement identified 117 individuals who had been abducted, trafficked, and coerced into running online scams inside dedicated compound facilities. Authorities confirmed these victims are now being repatriated safely to their homes. ## Disrupting Illicit Capital Flows Beyond physical arrests and account takedowns, private sector partners mapped and tracked financial pathways tied to the scam networks. These joint intelligence operations successfully pinpointed approximately $11 million in potentially freezable illicit assets, preventing the syndicates from laundering stolen proceeds through global payment channels. ## Mechanisms of Investment Fraud The targeted groups primarily ran sophisticated investment and impersonation schemes centered on cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and real estate. Fraudsters fabricated high-yield opportunities, leveraged fake celebrity endorsements, and deployed high-pressure tactics, occasionally returning minimal initial payouts to build false credibility before demanding bogus unlocking fees. ## Transnational Prosecution Strategy US Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized that cross-border fraud mandates seamless multi-jurisdictional collaboration between transatlantic prosecutors. By coordinating case building across the Crown Prosecution Service, NCA, and US authorities, investigators aim to eliminate geographical safe havens for cyber criminals exploiting disparate legal systems. ## Strategic Security Takeaways This operation highlights a shift toward upstream disruption, targeting technical hosting and social infrastructure rather than reactive domestic policing alone. Enterprise security teams and digital platforms must maintain proactive intelligence sharing, as scam rings increasingly blend automated tooling, social engineering, and forced labor compounds. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366651820/NCA-cracks-down-on-foreign-cyber-fraudsters — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._