"1,209 Cybercriminals Jailed, $100M Uncovered in Africa’s Largest Cross-Border Cybercrime Takedown"

INTERPOL has announced the seizure of nearly $100 million in a coordinated cybercrime crackdown across Africa, as part of its Operation Serengeti 2.0. Conducted between June and August 2025, the operation involved investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, targeting high-harm cybercrimes such as ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and online investment fraud. Authorities arrested 1,209 individuals, dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures, and identified 88,000 victims of cybercrime during the operation [2].

One of the key achievements of the operation was the dismantling of 25 cryptocurrency mining centers in Angola, where 60 Chinese nationals were engaged in illegal mining activities. Angolan authorities confiscated 45 illicit power stations and mining equipment valued at over $37 million, which the government plans to repurpose for power distribution in vulnerable regions. This action highlights the growing concern over cybercriminals leveraging energy-intensive operations for illicit gain [3].

Zambian authorities also made significant progress by targeting an online investment fraud scheme that defrauded more than 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million. Scammers lured investors through extensive advertising campaigns promising high-yield returns on cryptocurrency investments. During the operation, 15 individuals were arrested, and critical evidence, including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts, was seized. Investigations continue to identify overseas collaborators involved in the scheme [4].

In the Ivory Coast, a transnational inheritance scam was uncovered, originating in Germany. Victims were deceived into paying fees to claim fake inheritances, leading to $1.6 million in losses. Despite being an older form of fraud, these scams continue to pose significant threats to individuals, as cybercriminals adapt their tactics to exploit trust and urgency in their victims [5].

INTERPOL’s Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, emphasized that the operation built on previous efforts, strengthening cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing among member countries. “With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact. This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims,” Urquiza stated. The operation also included training workshops for investigators on open-source intelligence tools, cryptocurrency investigations, and ransomware analysis, which contributed to the success of the operation [2].

Private sector collaboration was a crucial component of the operation. Cybersecurity firms including Cybercrime Atlas, Fortinet, and Group-IB provided intelligence and technical expertise, helping investigators identify and dismantle cybercriminal infrastructures. The International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP), led by the Netherlands, also contributed by promoting a proactive approach to preventing cybercrime before it occurs [2]. The operation was funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, underscoring the importance of international partnerships in combating cybercrime [2].

The scale and scope of the operation demonstrate the evolving nature of cybercrime, which often transcends borders and requires coordinated responses from law enforcement, governments, and private entities. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated in their methods, the success of operations like Serengeti 2.0 highlights the necessity of ongoing international collaboration and capacity-building efforts [5].

Source:

[1] INTERPOL | The International Criminal Police Organization (https://www.interpol.int/)

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

[3] Interpol cybercrime crackdown in Africa leads to the arrest of 1,209 suspects (https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/large-interpol-cybercrime-crackdown-africa-leads-arrest-1200-124875773)

[4] INTERPOL Arrests 1209 Cybercriminals Across 18 African Countries in $97.4M Cybercrime Crackdown (https://thehackernews.com/2025/08/interpol-arrests-1209-cybercriminals.html)

[5] Interpol arrests over 1200 in African cybercrime crackdown (https://www.dw.com/en/interpol-arrests-over-1200-in-african-cybercrime-crackdown/a-73736645)