The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has confirmed the arrest of a Nigerian national, identified as Ikechukwu N., in Argentina over his alleged involvement in a multi-country romance scam syndicate.
The arrest, announced on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, followed a coordinated international operation led by INTERPOL under its global anti-cybercrime initiative, Operation Jackal, which targets financial fraud and organized crime networks with links to West Africa.
According to INTERPOL, the operation was carried out by the Argentine Federal Police and Airport Security Police, with support from the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), the Federal Intelligence Secretariat (FIS), and INTERPOL Brazil.
The suspect, who was reportedly the subject of both a Red Notice (for wanted fugitives) and a Silver Notice (for identification purposes), is accused of running elaborate online romance scams that defrauded victims across several countries through emotional manipulation and false identities.
INTERPOL described the case as a major breakthrough, noting that it marks Argentina’s first arrest of a dual Red and Silver Notice subject.
Authorities said the suspect allegedly used stolen identities and digital channels to communicate with victims, building trust before tricking them into transferring large sums of money.
While investigations are ongoing, the agency has not yet disclosed the total number of victims or the financial value of the fraud.
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Officials said the operation reflects a growing global collaboration among law enforcement bodies to combat cyber-enabled financial crimes.
The arrest adds to a series of global crackdowns under Operation Jackal, which has previously led to arrests and asset recoveries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
INTERPOL reaffirmed its commitment to tracking and dismantling transnational criminal groups that exploit online platforms for fraud, emphasizing that cross-border cooperation remains critical to disrupting such networks.