Coinbase Joins Global Strike Force to Dismantle West African Scam Rings

The joint initiative, dubbed Joint Disruption Week, utilized real-time intelligence sharing to map connections between blockchain transactions, fake social media personas, and fraudulent investment websites. By cross-referencing financial records with data from international partners, investigators dismantled networks responsible for elaborate scams, including fake police impersonations and staged arrests conducted over video calls to extort victims.

Leah Bressack, Vice President at Coinbase, noted that this collaboration follows successful efforts against Southeast Asian scam compounds earlier this year. As authorities apply sustained pressure in Asia, criminal groups have increasingly shifted operations toward West Africa. The operation underscores a broader strategic shift: U.S. and British authorities signed a formal agreement in September to synchronize investigations into cryptocurrency fraud, streamline jurisdiction for prosecutions, and incorporate private sector data into law enforcement workflows. This unified approach arrives as investment fraud losses continue to surge, with the DOJ reporting U.S. victim losses reaching $8.65 billion in 2025.