Crackdown on Cybercrime in Africa: Operation Contender 3.0

In a significant development against cybercrime on the African continent, authorities in 14 countries have collectively arrested 260 individuals linked to large-scale online scams. This operation, known as Operation Contender 3.0, took place from July 28 to August 11, 2025, and resulted in the seizure of over 1,200 electronic devices. The focus was on dismantling transnational networks involved in two particularly harmful types of cybercrime: romance scams and sextortion.

Disrupting Transnational Networks

Operation Contender 3.0 aimed to disrupt the intricate networks that have been exploiting social media and other digital communication tools to manipulate unsuspecting victims. Romance scams typically involve scammers fostering fake online relationships to financially exploit victims, while sextortion involves using explicit content to blackmail individuals. Both forms of crime have devastating effects, both emotionally and financially, on those targeted.

Advanced cyber investigation techniques were integral to this operation. Authorities traced IP addresses and delved into digital infrastructures, social media accounts, and domains associated with the suspects. The operation culminated in the successful seizure of 1,235 devices, including USB drives and forged documents, highlighting the significant reach of cybercriminals across the region.

Financial Toll on Victims

The investigation unveiled a staggering 1,463 victims across Africa, with estimated losses approaching USD 2.8 million. These figures underscore the considerable economic impact that cybercrime wields on individuals and communities throughout the continent.

In Ghana alone, 68 suspects were arrested, with the confiscation of 835 devices. Authorities reported identifying 108 victims, who collectively incurred losses of around USD 450,000, of which USD 70,000 was successfully recovered. The methods employed by the scammers included the use of fake profiles and fraudulent identities, often leading victims to pay for non-existent courier and customs fees. In cases of sextortion, victims faced threats following the secret recording of intimate videos during online chats.

Specific Regional Efforts

The operation also revealed regional variations in cybercrime activity. In Senegal, police detained 22 individuals associated with a network that impersonated celebrities on social media platforms to emotionally manipulate victims. Approximately 120 victims were identified, resulting in collective losses estimated at USD 34,000, along with the seizure of 65 devices and money transfer records.

Côte d’Ivoire witnessed the dismantling of a ring that coerced vulnerable individuals into sharing intimate images through fake online profiles, leading to extortion. Authorities in this region arrested 24 suspects, confiscated 29 devices, and identified 809 victims.

In Angola, 8 suspects were arrested as part of a similar scheme. These criminals used social media to craft fake identities and conceal their schemes, resulting in 28 domestic and international victims falling prey to their tactics.

International Collaboration and Public-Private Partnerships

Operation Contender 3.0 benefitted from vital support from INTERPOL, alongside private sector partners like Group-IB and Trend Micro. This collaboration enhanced knowledge sharing and operational efficacy. INTERPOL played a significant role by facilitating the rapid exchange of information through cyber activity reports, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in tackling cybercrime in Africa.

Cyril Gout, the Acting Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL, noted the growing trend of digital-enabled crimes in Africa, particularly sextortion and romance scams. He emphasized the collaborative approach of member countries and private sector partners in combating these exploitation tactics, which not only lead to financial loss but also cause profound psychological harm.

Strengthening Law Enforcement Across the Continent

Operation Contender 3.0 forms part of the broader efforts under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime project, which is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing law enforcement capabilities across the continent in response to the rising tide of cybercrime.

INTERPOL’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report from June 2025 highlights the urgency of addressing this issue, revealing that two-thirds of surveyed African member countries consider cyber-related crimes to pose a medium to high threat within their jurisdictions.

The countries participating in this operation include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia, illustrating a united front against the global scourge of cybercrime.