Interpol has recently warned that West Africa is emerging as a new regional hub for digital crimes, particularly online scam centers, alongside Central America and the Middle East. This shift marks a significant development in the global landscape of cyber-enabled crime, which was previously concentrated in Southeast Asia.
Key Findings from Recent Interpol Reports
Cybercrime now accounts for more than 30% of all reported crime in Western and Eastern Africa. The most common threats include online scams (especially phishing), ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion. Interpol has identified a growing trend of these online scam centers in West Africa, similar to those that originated in Southeast Asia. Interpol says these centers often rely on human trafficking, luring victims from around the world with false job offers and then forcing them to commit online fraud.
Interpol operations revealed that in the first three months of 2025, victims from 66 countries had been trafficked into scam centers globally. While 74% of victims were sent to Southeast Asia, a significant and growing share are now being trafficked to West Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. About 90% of human trafficking facilitators are from Asia, but 11% now come from Africa or South America. Most facilitators are men aged 20–39.
West African cybercriminals are known for their expertise in social engineering and use of advanced tools, including malware, phishing kits, and AI-driven fraud techniques.
Human and Social Impact
Those trafficked into scam centers often face debt bondage, violence, and psychological abuse, while global victims of the scams suffer financial and emotional harm. And these scam centers are increasingly tied to other major crimes, such as drug and arms trafficking, and wildlife smuggling.
Urgent Need for Coordinated Response
Interpol stresses that no single country or agency can tackle this evolving threat alone. The organization calls for urgent, coordinated international action to disrupt trafficking routes, dismantle scam centers, and support victims.
