INTERPOL arrests Nigerian Man in Argentina over Global Romance Scam Network

Authorities in Argentina have arrested a Nigerian national, identified as Ikechukwu N., for allegedly masterminding multiple romance scams that targeted thousands of women across the world.

According to reports, he was apprehended after being placed on the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)’s wanted list, marking Argentina’s first-ever arrest of a red notice fugitive who was also the subject of an INTERPOL silver notice.

The arrest was carried out through a coordinated operation between the Argentine Federal Police and the Airport Security Police.

In a statement released on Tuesday, INTERPOL confirmed that the Nigerian suspect was accused of leading an international cybercrime syndicate responsible for large-scale online romance scams.

“Argentine authorities have captured Nigerian national Ikechukwu N., marking the country’s first arrest of a #RedNotice fugitive who was also the subject of an INTERPOL Silver Notice. The suspect is accused of orchestrating multiple romance scams involving thousands of women and leading an international cybercrime network,” INTERPOL stated.

The global police agency further revealed that the operation, codenamed Operation Jackal, was part of an ongoing initiative aimed at dismantling West African organised criminal groups. The operation involved collaboration between Argentina’s Federal Police, Airport Security Police, INTERPOL’s Financial Crimes Coordination Centre (IFCACC), and INTERPOL offices in Brazil.

INTERPOL added that the Silver Notice pilot project, which began in January 2025, was designed to assist countries in tracing and recovering criminal assets linked to international cybercrime.