US, South African police smash cybercrime network

South African police said Wednesday (21/05/2014) they have smashed an international cybercrime network operating out of Pretoria and made several arrests in a joint operation with the United States.

US homeland security officers worked with South Africa to bring down "a West African criminal enterprise operating from South Africa with strong links to the United States", South Africa's police service said in a statement.

A briefing later Wednesday "will announce arrests and charges" in the case.

Arrests have been made in several countries including Canada, South Africa and the United States, South African police spokesman Paul Ramaloko told AFP, without giving numbers.

He said suspects were due to appear in court in Pretoria later Wednesday before being extradited to the United States.

Local media have said there were Nigerian nationals among those arrested. - AFP