Major Cybercrime Crackdown in Africa: Over 1,200 Arrests
An Overview of Operation Serengeti
In a significant international law enforcement effort, INTERPOL has announced the arrest of 1,209 alleged cybercriminals across 18 African nations during a crackdown on cybercrime. This operation highlights the extensive reach of online fraud, which has affected an alarming 88,000 victims. The initiative, known as Operation Serengeti, represents a strong collaborative effort to combat severe cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks, online scams, and business email compromises.
Financial Recoveries and Infrastructure Dismantling
The recent actions have led to the recovery of approximately $97.4 million and the dismantling of over 11,432 malicious infrastructures. INTERPOL emphasized the importance of global cooperation in combating cyber threats. This phase of Operation Serengeti, which ran from June to August 2025, follows an initial wave of arrests made in late 2024.
Cryptocurrency Crimes in Angola
One of the standout achievements during this operation was the dismantling of 25 illicit cryptocurrency mining centers in Angola. Investigators arrested 60 Chinese nationals involved in these illegal activities. Authorities confiscated 45 unlawful power stations along with mining and IT equipment valued at over $37 million. Importantly, this seized equipment will be repurposed to enhance power distribution in underprivileged regions, showcasing a dual benefit from enforcement efforts.
Zambian Fraud Operations
Zambia also witnessed a significant crackdown on a large-scale investment fraud scheme that had swindled approximately 65,000 victims out of $300 million. The operation lured individuals with enticing advertisements promoting cryptocurrency investments with high-yield returns. In connection with this scam, law enforcement arrested 15 suspects and seized critical evidence, including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts. Additionally, authorities disrupted a scam center and a suspected human trafficking operation linked to the fraud.
Transnational Scams Targeting Victims
Another targeted effort brought down a transnational inheritance scam that originated in Germany, leading to the arrest of a primary suspect. The fraudulent operation is estimated to have caused losses of about $1.6 million, with law enforcement confiscating valuable items such as electronics, jewelry, cash, and vehicles connected to the scheme.
Cooperative Efforts Yield Results
Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL’s Secretary General, praised the ongoing collaboration across nations, stating, "Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the last." The collective efforts of member countries lead to enhanced information sharing and development of investigative skills, making the fight against cybercrime increasingly effective.
International Participation
The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 reflects the valuable contributions of various nations, including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This collaboration is crucial as cybercrime knows no borders, and its impact extends globally.
Dmitry Volkov, CEO of Group-IB, underscored the significance of international unity in fighting these crimes, highlighting the substantive achievements made possible by nations working together.
Investigations and Intelligence Sharing
Blockchain intelligence platform TRM Labs reported on the investigation’s progress, noting pursuits concerning the Bl00dy ransomware group in Ghana and leads connected to RansomHub, a ransomware operation that unexpectedly went offline earlier this year.
A Broader Context
Nigeria’s recent actions further illustrate the ongoing battle against cybercrime. The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deported 102 foreign nationals, including 60 Chinese and 39 individuals from the Philippines, who had been convicted of cyber-related offenses. These deportees were among 792 suspects arrested in December 2024.
In an earlier operation codenamed Red Card, law enforcement in seven African countries apprehended 306 suspects and confiscated over 1,800 devices. This broad scope of action highlights the urgent need for continuous vigilance against cyber threats across the continent.
These developments underscore the growing recognition of cybercrime as a serious global issue that requires an organized, collaborative response from nations worldwide.
