83 Arrests in Landmark Interpol Operation Targeting Crypto Terrorist Financing
Interpol and Afripol have arrested 83 individuals as part of Operation Catalyst, which aims to combat terrorism financing and cybercrime across Africa. Authorities flagged $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat assets, of which $600,000 has been recovered to date. The operation, conducted between July and September, involved arrests related to terrorism, fraud, online scams, and the illicit use of virtual assets. Private sector collaborators, including Binance, assisted by providing blockchain data and forensic analysis. The operation highlighted increasing involvement of cryptocurrencies in cybercrime, although traditional bank transfers remain prevalent in many criminal activities. Interpol noted that Nigerian officials warn of corrupt politicians using crypto to obscure illicit wealth. The cooperation with crypto exchanges is becoming a norm in law enforcement's efforts to tackle financial crimes linked to crypto and terrorism financing.
Source 🔗