Canada #82
Interpol Leads Major Cybercrime Bust in Africa: 1,209 Arrests and $97 Million Recovered
by Robert Semonsen Aug. 24, 2025
A major international operation coordinated by Interpol has resulted in significant arrests and asset recoveries across Africa.
Known as Operation Serengeti 2.0, the effort spanned from June to August 2025 and involved law enforcement from 18 African nations along with the United Kingdom.
The operation focused on combating various forms of cybercrime that have impacted thousands of individuals worldwide.
Authorities arrested 1,209 suspects during the operation and recovered approximately $97.4 million in illicit funds.
Nearly 88,000 victims were identified as targets of these schemes, with investigators dismantling 11,432 malicious infrastructures used in the crimes.
These actions highlight the extensive reach of organized cybercriminal networks operating in the region.
The crimes targeted included inheritance scams, ransomware attacks, and business email compromise operations. Inheritance scams, despite being among the oldest online frauds, continue to generate substantial revenue for criminal groups.
Ransomware and email compromises have been identified as rising threats in Africa, according to Interpol’s assessments.
In Angola, law enforcement shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining facilities run by 60 Chinese nationals.
Equipment valued at over $37 million was seized, and the government intends to repurpose it for electricity distribution in underserved communities.
This action addressed unauthorized blockchain activities that strained local resources.
Zambian authorities dPost too long. Click here to view the full text.
