A transnational operation involving 14 African countries has dismantled a large-scale digital scamming network, resulting in 260 arrests and the seizure of 1,235 electronic devices. The Interpol-led effort, named Operation Contender 3.0, marks the third wave of arrests against fraudsters and romance scammers in Africa following operations in 2021 and 2024. This third crackdown was conducted between July 28 and August 11, 2025. It focused on romance scams, where perpetrators build online relat
