Interpol recently announced that it arrested 260 cybercrime suspects across 14 African countries in an operation dubbed Operation Contender 3.0 that targeted criminal networks involved in global romance scams and sextortion schemes.

According to Interpol, the operation dismantled 81 cybercrime infrastructure networks across Africa, with the seizure of USB drives, SIM cards, and forged documents that affected 1,500 victims with losses of up to $2.8 million.

The suspects used fake profiles, forged identities, and stolen images using different schemes, including “fake courier and customs shipment fees, and sextortion for blackmail.”

Romance scams and sextortion schemes continue to increase, affecting millions of victims. These schemes affect individuals of all ages and genders.

Here are some helpful resources to review to avoid becoming a victim:

• What to Know About Romance Scams
• Learn How to Avoid Romance Scams: AARP’s guide to staying safe while looking for love
• How to Recognize, Prevent, and Respond to Sextortion Attacks
• Sextortion: What It Is and How to Protect Yourself