Nigerian man, Ikechukwu N, arrested for multiple romance scams in Argentina
Police authorities in Argentina have arrested a Nigerian national, identified as Ikechukwu N, for allegedly orchestrating a large-scale romance scam scheme that defrauded thousands of women across several countries.
The arrest, announced on Tuesday by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), marks Argentina’s first detention of a fugitive listed on both a Red Notice and a Silver Notice.
According to INTERPOL, Ikechukwu was apprehended by a joint team from the Argentine Federal Police (PFA) and the Airport Security Police (PSA). The operation was part of Operation Jackal, an INTERPOL-coordinated crackdown on West African organized crime groups involved in cyber fraud and financial scams.
“The suspect is accused of orchestrating multiple romance scams involving thousands of women and leading an international cybercrime network,” INTERPOL said in a statement.
The agency added that the Silver Notice, introduced in January 2025 as a pilot project, is designed to help law enforcement trace and recover criminal assets connected to transnational crimes.
The operation also received support from INTERPOL Brazil, the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC), and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIS).
Ikechukwu’s arrest highlights growing international cooperation in tracking and dismantling global cybercrime syndicates that exploit victims through online deception and financial fraud.
