In a major victory against transnational organized crime, an Interpol-coordinated operation across Africa has led to the arrest of over 1,200 cybercriminals and the recovery of millions in stolen funds. The initiative, dubbed “Operation Serengeti 2.0,” brought together law enforcement agencies from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom to dismantle large-scale fraud and ransomware networks that targeted nearly 88,000 victims worldwide.
The operation, which ran from June to August 2025, focused on high-impact cybercrimes, including online scams, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC). Officials reported the recovery of approximately $97.4$ million in stolen proceeds and the dismantling of over 11,000 malicious infrastructures. The success of the crackdown underscores the growing importance of international cooperation and intelligence-sharing in combating a borderless threat.
Notable successes were reported across the continent. In Angola, authorities shut down 25 illicit cryptocurrency mining centers, seizing mining and IT equipment valued at over $37$ million. These centers were operated by 60 foreign nationals and illegally siphoned electricity from the national grid. The confiscated equipment has since been earmarked by the government to support power distribution in vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, Zambian authorities dismantled a massive online investment fraud scheme that defrauded 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million. Fifteen suspects were arrested in connection with the scam, which lured victims with promises of high-yield returns from fake cryptocurrency investments. In Côte d’Ivoire, a transnational inheritance scam originating from Germany was disrupted, leading to the arrest of a primary suspect and the recovery of assets.
The operation was bolstered by intelligence from private sector partners, who provided actionable data on threats and malicious infrastructure. According to Interpol, the results of the crackdown demonstrate a growing capacity among African law enforcement to investigate and disrupt complex cybercrime syndicates. The ongoing initiative is part of the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), which is dedicated to strengthening regional capabilities.
While the arrests are a significant blow to criminal networks, Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza noted that these operations are part of a continuous effort. “Each Interpol-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information sharing and developing investigative skills across member countries,” Urquiza said. “With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact.” The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when nations work in concert to protect citizens from the ever-evolving threat of cybercrime.
