Fake Websites, Real Consequences: Interpol Takes Down Cybercriminals in Côte d’Ivoire
In Côte d’Ivoire, eight suspects involved in cybercriminal activities were arrested as part of an international operation, according to Interpol. The detainees were engaged in “large-scale” phishing attacks targeting Swiss citizens.
The fraudsters used QR codes to redirect victims to counterfeit websites resembling payment platforms, where users were prompted to enter personal details, including login credentials and bank card numbers. To gain trust, the criminals posed as buyers on classified ad sites or customer service representatives.
According to Interpol, more than 260 individuals were affected by the fraud between August 2023 and April 2024, with total damages exceeding $1.4 million.
During the investigation, the primary suspect was apprehended and admitted to orchestrating the scam and receiving over $1.9 million. At the time of his arrest, five more individuals involved in similar activities were also taken into custody.
The operation to locate additional victims, recover stolen funds, and trace goods purchased with the illicit proceeds is ongoing.
These arrests are part of Operation Contender 2.0, which began in 2021 and aims to combat various cyber threats, including business email compromise (BEC) schemes, romance scams, and other financial crimes in the African region, particularly West Africa.
Earlier this week, a Nigerian-British citizen was sentenced in the United States to seven years in prison for his involvement in a multi-million-dollar business email compromise scheme. The criminal, known as John Edwards, stole more than $1.9 million from a North Carolina university and attempted to steal an additional $3 million from various organizations in Texas, including local government agencies, construction companies, and a college.
