INTERPOL Operation Leads to Arrest of 1,209 Cyber Crime Suspects Across Africa

A major international law enforcement operation coordinated by INTERPOL has led to the arrest of 1,209 cybercrime suspects across Africa. The crackdown, dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, took place from June to August 2025 and targeted high-impact cybercrimes, including ransomware, online scams, and business email compromise (BEC), as highlighted in INTERPOL’s recent Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report. The operation resulted in the dismantling of 11,432 malicious infrastructures and the recovery of nearly $97.4 million in illicit funds.

The large-scale effort involved investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, bolstered by intelligence from private sector partners. Significant actions were taken in several countries:

Angola: Authorities shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers operated by 60 foreign nationals, seizing equipment and power stations valued at over $37 million.

Zambia: Investigators dismantled a massive online investment fraud scheme that defrauded 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million. Authorities arrested 15 people and seized key evidence, including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts.

Côte d’Ivoire: Law enforcement dismantled a transnational inheritance scam originating from Germany, arresting the ringleader and seizing assets, including vehicles, cash, and luxury goods. The scam caused an estimated $1.6 million in losses.

Across the continent: Investigators confiscated hundreds of forged passports, shut down scam centers, and disrupted transnational criminal networks that had victimized nearly 88,000 people.

INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza underscored the importance of international cooperation, noting that each coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening collaboration, and enhancing investigative skills among member countries. The operation also included a focus on prevention through a partnership with the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP). This proactive approach, combined with pre-operation training on cryptocurrency tracing and open-source intelligence, allowed authorities to effectively trace illicit financial flows and disrupt criminal activity. The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 demonstrates the growing effectiveness of joint operations in combating modern cybercrime on a continental scale.