Interpol Strikes Digital Fraud Networks in Africa and Arrests Hundreds

SadaNews - The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) conducted a large-scale security operation between June and August 2025, resulting in the arrest of over 1,200 individuals in 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, suspected of involvement in cyber crimes targeting around 88,000 victims.

The operation, named "Serengeti 2.0," led to the recovery of $97.4 million and the dismantling of over 11,000 malicious digital infrastructures, including command and control servers, suspicious websites, and addresses used for fraud.

International Cooperation and Private Sector Participation

The campaign was initiated in response to recommendations from Interpol's report on cybersecurity threats in Africa, which identified ransomware attacks, online fraud, and commercial email breaches as major risks.

Investigators from countries including Angola, Ivory Coast, Zambia, Kenya, and Nigeria participated in the operation, supported by technical and intelligence assistance from international cybersecurity firms like "Kaspersky," "Trend Micro," and "Fortinet."

Illegal Mining and Investment Fraud

In Angola, authorities dismantled 25 cryptocurrency mining centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals using unlicensed power stations, confiscating equipment worth $37 million.

In Zambia, police took down an investment fraud network that targeted 65,000 people, causing them to lose $300 million through fake applications. They also seized a center suspected of human trafficking, confiscating 372 fake passports.

Meanwhile, in Ivory Coast, police arrested the main suspect in an international fraud scheme that originated in Germany, targeting victims with alleged fees for obtaining a "fake inheritance," resulting in losses amounting to $1.6 million.

Enhancing Capabilities and Proactive Prevention

Interpol’s Secretary-General, Valdis Dombrovskis, stated that the operation enhanced international cooperation and improved the efficiency of field teams, noting that the global network has become more effective in protecting victims.

The operation included training on open-source intelligence tools and ransomware attack analysis, alongside a preventive partnership with the "Interpol" network, comprising agencies from 36 countries, aiming to monitor criminal activities before they occur.

"Serengeti 2.0" was conducted within the framework of the "Joint African Operation Against Cyber Crime," funded by the British Foreign Office.

Source: Al Jazeera