Romance scam kingpin: Interpol captures Nigerian suspect in Argentina

Police authorities in Argentina have arrested a Nigerian national, identified as Ikechukwu N, for allegedly masterminding multiple international romance scams that defrauded thousands of women across different countries.

According to reports, Ikechukwu was apprehended following a coordinated operation between Argentine law enforcement and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL).

He had been on INTERPOL’s wanted list, with both a red notice (for fugitives sought for prosecution) and a silver notice (issued for information related to criminal modus operandi).

The arrest was carried out by Argentine Federal Police and Airport Security Police.

In a statement released on Tuesday by INTERPOL’s headquarters, the international police said the Nigerian was also accused of “leading an international cybercrime network”.

“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 statement reads.

“The suspect is accused of orchestrating multiple romance scams involving thousands of women, and leading an international cybercrime network.

“The arrest was part of Operation Jackal, an INTERPOL-coordinated initiative targeting West African organized criminal groups.

“It was carried out by @PFAOficial and @seguridadpsa, with support from IFCACC, FIS, and INTERPOL Brazil.

“The Silver Notice pilot project, launched in January 2025, aims to help countries trace and recover criminal assets.”