Binance and Coinbase Participate in West African Anti-Fraud Operation, Helping Identify Over $11 Million in Funds Pending Freeze

Odaily report: According to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement, law enforcement authorities in Ghana and Nigeria arrested 28 people in a joint operation targeting West African fraud networks, involving criminal activities such as cryptocurrency investment fraud. The operation was led by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), with participation from Binance, Coinbase, and blockchain analytics firms Chainalysis, Elliptic, and TRM Labs. Private-sector partners collectively identified more than $11 million in funds that could potentially be frozen, though the amount has not yet been confirmed as recovered assets.

Coinbase stated that it assisted in tracking illicit funds, supporting asset freezes, and providing intelligence to investigators, identifying more than 65 victims still being defrauded and helping prevent over $415,000 in potential losses. During the operation, Ghanaian police arrested 19 people and seized 303 electronic devices, while another 9 people were arrested in Nigeria. Additionally, 117 human trafficking victims in Ghana are awaiting repatriation to Nigeria, and participants also provided law enforcement with leads on more than 30 suspected fraud centers. The U.S. Department of Justice said this was the first joint operation of its kind specifically targeting the West African region. (CoinDesk)