INTERPOL Arrests 1,209 Suspected Cybercriminals, Seizes $97.4m in Major Africa-Wide Crackdown

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

In one of the largest coordinated operations against cybercrime in Africa, INTERPOL has arrested 1,209 suspected cybercriminals and dismantled 11,432 malicious online infrastructures across multiple countries.

The three-month operation, codenamed Serengeti 2.0, ran from June to August 2025 and resulted in the recovery of $97.4 million linked to online fraud schemes that targeted nearly 88,000 victims.

Massive Fraud Networks Uncovered

Investigators from 18 African countries, alongside the United Kingdom, joined forces to tackle high-profile cybercrimes such as ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and online scams. Intelligence shared by INTERPOL included suspicious domains, IP addresses, and command-and-control servers, while private partners provided expertise in crypto crime tracking, ransomware analysis, and digital forensics.

In Angola, police shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centres operated by 60 Chinese nationals, confiscating IT equipment and illicit power stations worth over $37 million. Authorities announced plans to repurpose the power stations to improve electricity distribution in underserved areas.

In Zambia, a large-scale online investment scam defrauded more than 65,000 victims, with losses estimated at $300 million. Fifteen suspects were arrested, while investigators seized fraudulent domains, bank accounts, and mobile numbers linked to the operation. Authorities also dismantled a suspected human trafficking ring, recovering 372 forged passports from seven different countries.

In Côte d’Ivoire, security operatives busted a transnational inheritance scam originating in Germany. The ringleader was arrested, with seizures including cash, luxury vehicles, electronics, and jewellery valued at $1.6 million. Despite being one of the oldest cyber fraud techniques, INTERPOL noted that inheritance scams continue to generate millions in illicit revenue for criminal networks.

Global Collaboration Driving Success

Secretary General of INTERPOL, Valdecy Urquiza, hailed the crackdown as a demonstration of the power of cross-border cooperation.

“Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information sharing and developing investigative skills across member countries. With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact,” Urquiza said.

The operation was executed under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime, with funding support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, alongside collaboration from major cybersecurity firms such as Fortinet, Group-IB, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, and TRM Labs.

Rising Cyber Threats Across Africa

Cybercrime remains one of the fastest-growing global security challenges, with African nations increasingly vulnerable due to rapid digital adoption.

Akahi News learnt that INTERPOL’s recently released Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report ranked Nigeria third on the continent in ransomware detections, with 3,459 cases recorded in 2024. The report further revealed that cybercrime accounted for over 30% of reported crimes in both Western and Eastern Africa, cementing its status as a major regional security threat.

As digital penetration deepens across Africa, experts warn that stronger cross-border cooperation, cybersecurity investments, and public awareness are essential to curbing the growing menace.

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