INTERPOL nabs over 5,800 Yahoo boys, recovers $293 million in four

The International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL, on Thursday said it arrested over 5,800 fraudsters and intercepted $293 million in global operations in Nigeria and other 96 countries between January and April, 2026.

The INTERPOL, in a statement on Thursday, said its “global anti-fraud operation involving 97 countries and territories has led to the arrest of 5,811 individuals and the interception of $293 million in illicit assets.”

Code named, “Operation First Light 2026” coordinated by INTERPOL, the operations focused on combating social engineering scams and associated money laundering activities in the first quarter of the year, from January 15 – April 30, 2026).

According to INTERPOL, social engineering is a broad term that refers to techniques that exploit a person’s trust to obtain money or confidential information. This type of fraud can include business email compromise, sextortion, as well as romance, impersonation or investment scams.

“Over 142,000 victims globally were identified during Operation First Light 2026, highlighting the extent to which social engineering scams and fraud have escalated into a major transnational threat, affecting individuals, businesses and governments,” the INTERPOL said.

It added, “Other significant results include: 152,808 cases analyzed, 31,014 bank accounts blocked, 23,715 cases solved, 15,606 suspects identified, 99 notices and diffusions issued.”

The Director of the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Tomonobu Kaya, said “Social engineering scams continue to pose a significant threat to our society. Criminal syndicates exploit human psychology to manipulate their targets, and no nation can stay safe unless all countries are equipped and committed to jointly fighting back.

He added, “INTERPOL is dedicated to supporting member countries in building a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to tackle cyber-enabled financial crimes, organized criminal networks and the money laundering that fuels them.”

Highlighting operations in some countries during Operation First Light, the INTERPOL mentioned some of its activities in Eswatini, China, Thailand, Singapore and other countries.

The INTERPOL in collaboration with the Nigerian police arrested and extradited Samuel ‘PutSammy’ Ugberaese, a South Africa-based Nigerian internet fraudster and socialite based named in multimillion-dollar romance scams in the United States of America.

We have recently deactivated our website's provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our , Twitter and other social media pages.

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices News Agency of Nigeria

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second .”

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second .”

At least 11 people have been killed and eight injured as wildfire ravages Los Gallardos, Almería, in Southern Spain.

At least 11 people have been killed and eight injured as wildfire ravages Los Gallardos, Almería, in Southern Spain.

The ongoing evacuation of accumulated waste by the Lagos government has drawn commendation from residents.

The ongoing evacuation of accumulated waste by the Lagos government has drawn commendation from residents.

The EFCC had, in the suit, sought the final forfeiture of the properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The EFCC had, in the suit, sought the final forfeiture of the properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Economists warned on Friday that the departure of foreign workers in South Africa could hurt the labour market.

Economists warned on Friday that the departure of foreign workers in South Africa could hurt the labour market.

Senegal’s top court has struck down changes to the country’s constitution that would have altered the balance of power in government.

Senegal’s top court has struck down changes to the country’s constitution that would have altered the balance of power in government.

The World Health Organisation warned on Friday that the cholera outbreak in Sudan could get worse amid war, displacement and the onset of the rainy season.

The World Health Organisation warned on Friday that the cholera outbreak in Sudan could get worse amid war, displacement and the onset of the rainy season.