1,209 Arrested, $97M Seized as Interpol Unmasks Africa's Cybercrime Web

A coordinated cybercrime crackdown led by Interpol has yielded significant results across Africa, resulting in the arrest of 1,209 suspects and the recovery of approximately $97.4 million in assets from illicit activities. Dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0 and conducted between June and August 2025, the operation targeted a range of cybercrimes, including inheritance scams, ransomware attacks, and business email compromise schemes. These activities affected nearly 88,000 victims across 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, with Angolan and Zambian operations standing out for their scale and complexity [1].

In Angola, authorities dismantled 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers, where 60 Chinese nationals were engaged in mining activities. The operation led to the confiscation of mining and IT equipment worth over $37 million. The Angolan government has since announced plans to repurpose this equipment to support power distribution in vulnerable regions. The crackdown in Angola aligns with the country's broader policy to regulate energy consumption, as a mining ban was implemented in April 2024 due to concerns about energy allocation [1].

Zambia also saw a major operation that dismantled a large-scale online investment fraud scheme. The scam defrauded over 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million by luring them into cryptocurrency investments through deceptive advertising campaigns. Authorities arrested 15 individuals and seized key evidence, including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts. In the course of the investigation, a suspected human trafficking network was also uncovered. This dual focus highlights the complex and interconnected nature of cybercrime and other illicit activities [1].

The operation also targeted a transnational inheritance scam in Côte d'Ivoire that originated in Germany. Victims were tricked into paying fees to claim non-existent inheritances, resulting in losses of approximately $1.6 million. Inheritance scams, while among the oldest forms of internet fraud, continue to generate significant revenue for criminal organizations. Interpol emphasized the need for increased awareness and international cooperation to combat these enduring threats [1].

Interpol's role in the operation was pivotal. As an international police network with 196 member countries, the organization facilitated cross-border collaboration and information sharing. The operation was supported by private sector partners such as Cybercrime Atlas, Fortinet, Group-IB, Kaspersky, and others, who provided intelligence and training. This collaboration helped investigators act swiftly and effectively. The initiative also incorporated training workshops on open-source intelligence, cryptocurrency investigations, and ransomware analysis, enhancing the investigative capabilities of participating countries [1].

The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 was also attributed to the preventive efforts of the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP), a consortium of law enforcement agencies from 36 countries. The InterCOP project, led by the Netherlands, aims to identify and mitigate potential cybercriminal activities before they can cause harm. This proactive approach complements traditional enforcement by focusing on early intervention and education [1].

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[1] title1 (https://apnews.com/article/interpol-africa-cybercrime-057fee9214a008eb2829a672b10e69b0)

[2] title2 (https://holdonangola.com/en/manchete/page/30/)

[3] title3 (https://lasvegassun.com/news/2025/aug/21/ap-technology-summarybrief-at-759-am-edt/)

[4] title4 (https://techcabal.com/2025/08/19/blockchain-ecosystems-driving-africas-web3-growth/)

[5] title5 (https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2025/African-authorities-dismantle-massive-cybercrime-and-fraud-networks-recover-millions)

[6] title6 (https://cointelegraph.com/news/interpol-raid-angola-crypto-miners)

[7] title7 (https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/large-interpol-cybercrime-crackdown-africa-leads-arrest-1200-124875773)