UK police have arrested dozens of suspected scammers and romance fraud operators as part of a large international crackdown targeting organized cybercrime networks operating between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The operation, known as Operation Seraphim, was led by the City of London Police in coordination with the UK National Crime Agency, the Cyber Defence Alliance, and the Nigerian Police Force cybercrime unit. Authorities confirmed that 31 suspects were arrested across Europe and Africa during coordinated raids targeting online fraud and money laundering activity.
Investigators said the suspects are believed to be connected to romance fraud schemes in which criminals build fake online relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money. According to officials, the fraud networks operated using anonymous digital identities and coordinated infrastructure spanning multiple countries.
In one raid highlighted by investigators, police arrested a suspect accused of selling stolen banking information online and helping facilitate fraud through money laundering operations. Authorities seized approximately £3,000 in cash and two Rolex watches during searches conducted at a property in the English Midlands.
Law enforcement agencies said romance fraud continues to grow globally due to the effectiveness of social engineering and emotional manipulation tactics. Victims are often targeted through dating apps, social media platforms, messaging services, and online forums where scammers spend weeks or months building trust before requesting financial assistance.
According to the UK fraud reporting service Action Fraud, romance scams regularly cause millions of pounds in losses annually, with many incidents going unreported due to embarrassment or emotional trauma experienced by victims. Investigators warn that organized fraud groups increasingly combine romance scams with cryptocurrency fraud, investment scams, and money laundering networks.
Security researchers have also observed growing use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies within online fraud campaigns. Criminals increasingly use AI-generated profile photos, cloned voices, and manipulated videos to make fake identities appear more convincing. Researchers warn that these technologies are making romance fraud operations significantly harder for victims to detect.
Authorities involved in Operation Seraphim said international cooperation remains critical because many fraud groups operate across multiple jurisdictions using encrypted communication platforms, stolen identities, and offshore financial systems to hide criminal activity. Investigators added that additional arrests and financial investigations may follow as analysis of seized devices and digital evidence continues.