In a major win for international law enforcement, INTERPOL announced the successful conclusion of “Operation Serengeti 2.0,” a sweeping three-month crackdown on cybercrime across 18 African nations and the United Kingdom. The operation, which ran from June to August 2025, resulted in the arrest of 1,209 individuals and the recovery of nearly $100 million in illicit funds. Authorities also dismantled over 11,000 malicious infrastructures used for various cybercrimes, including ransomware, online scams, and business email compromise (BEC). The crackdown aimed to disrupt cybercriminal networks that have victimized nearly 88,000 people globally.
The multi-country effort revealed the intricate and transnational nature of modern cybercrime. In Angola, authorities dismantled 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers, seizing equipment and power stations valued at over $37 million. The proceeds from this seizure will be used to support local electricity distribution, a direct benefit to the community. In Zambia, investigators took down a large-scale online investment fraud scheme that had defrauded approximately 65,000 victims of over $300 million. The perpetrators had lured victims with promises of high-yield crypto returns before disappearing with their money. Zambian authorities also uncovered a human trafficking network, seizing hundreds of forged passports. Meanwhile, in Côte d’Ivoire, police dismantled a transnational inheritance scam that had tricked victims into paying fees for non-existent fortunes, causing losses of an estimated $1.6 million. The ringleader was arrested and significant assets were seized.
This operation underscores the growing effectiveness of international partnerships and the integration of private sector intelligence in the fight against cybercrime. Collaborations with cybersecurity firms and private partners like TRM Labs provided critical blockchain intelligence and threat analysis, enabling law enforcement to act more quickly and effectively. According to an INTERPOL official, “Cybercrime recognizes no borders, and its impact is truly global. The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 demonstrates what can be achieved when nations stand together against this threat.” This collective effort not only protects victims across Africa but also strengthens the resilience of the entire global digital ecosystem. As cybercrime continues to evolve, operations like these highlight a strategic shift towards proactive, intelligence-led enforcement to stay ahead of criminal networks.
