"Interpol Shatters Cybercrime Syndicates, Unmasking Global Fraud Networks"

Interpol has led a coordinated crackdown across Africa, seizing $97.4 million from cybercriminal operations and arresting 1,209 individuals involved in high-impact cybercrime. Conducted between June and August 2025 under the banner of Operation Serengeti 2.0, the operation targeted a range of cyber threats, including ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and investment scams, impacting nearly 88,000 victims. The effort, involving 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, underscores the growing threat of cybercrime and the necessity of international collaboration to combat it.

A major focus of the operation was the dismantling of illegal cryptocurrency mining centers in Angola. Authorities there seized 25 such centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals, confiscating equipment valued at over $37 million. These assets are now earmarked for repurposing to support power distribution in vulnerable areas. The operation also revealed a broader crackdown on energy-intensive crypto mining in the region, with countries like Tajikistan also grappling with similar issues, linking illegal crypto operations to energy shortages.

Zambian authorities played a significant role in the operation, dismantling a large-scale online investment fraud scheme that defrauded 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million. The scam involved extensive advertising campaigns promising high-yield returns on cryptocurrency investments, with victims instructed to download multiple apps to participate. Authorities arrested 15 individuals and seized critical evidence including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts. In a related development, joint operations in Zambia also disrupted a suspected human trafficking network, uncovering 372 forged passports from seven countries.

The operation also led to the takedown of a transnational inheritance scam originating in Germany and targeting victims in Côte d'Ivoire. This scam, described as one of the oldest internet frauds, tricked victims into paying fees to claim fake inheritances, resulting in $1.6 million in losses. The scale of such operations highlights the adaptability of cybercriminals in exploiting traditional fraud methods through digital means.

To strengthen the effectiveness of the operation, Interpol emphasized the importance of training and information sharing. Investigators participated in workshops covering open-source intelligence tools, cryptocurrency investigations, and ransomware analysis. This training directly contributed to operational successes and the development of investigative capabilities across participating countries. In a proactive approach to cybercrime, the operation also partnered with the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP), a consortium of law enforcement agencies from 36 countries, to identify and mitigate potential cybercriminal activity before it occurs.

The operation was supported by private sector collaboration, with partners such as Cybercrime Atlas, Fortinet, and Kaspersky providing intelligence, guidance, and training. These contributions were critical in enabling investigators to act swiftly and effectively. Funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Operation Serengeti 2.0 is a continuation of previous efforts, with last year’s first iteration of the operation resulting in over 1,000 arrests targeting 35,000 victims. The results of this year’s operation reinforce the importance of cross-border cooperation and public-private partnerships in addressing the evolving landscape of cybercrime.

Source: [1] 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) [2] Interpol arrests over 1200 in African cybercrime crackdown (https://www.dw.com/en/interpol-arrests-over-1200-in-african-cybercrime-crackdown/a-73736645) [3] Large Interpol cybercrime crackdown in Africa leads to the ... (https://apnews.com/article/interpol-africa-cybercrime-057fee9214a008eb2829a672b10e69b0) [4] Interpol Coordinates Crackdown On Illegal Angola-Based ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/interpol-raid-angola-crypto-miners) [5] Tajikistan Links Illegal Crypto Mining to Energy Shortages (https://caspianpost.com/tajikistan/tajikistan-links-illegal-crypto-mining-to-energy-shortages)