INTERPOL has announced one of its largest cybercrime crackdowns in Africa, with 1,209 suspects arrested and nearly 88,000 victims identified.
- INTERPOL coordinated Operation Serengeti 2.0 from June to August 2025, leading to 1,209 arrests and identifying 88,000 victims.
- Authorities recovered $97.4 million and dismantled over 11,400 malicious online infrastructures targeting cyber-enabled crimes.
- Key successes include the seizure of $37 million in Angola and the unraveling of a $300 million fraudulent scheme in Zambia.
- The initiative demonstrates the strength of international collaboration in combating cybercrime and delivering impactful outcomes.
The operation, dubbed Serengeti 2.0, ran from June to August 2025 and recovered $97.4 million. Authorities also dismantled more than 11,400 malicious online infrastructures, exposing the scale of cyber-enabled crime sweeping across borders.
Investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom joined forces to target ransomware, online scams, and business email compromise schemes.
These crimes, flagged in INTERPOL’s latest Africa Cyberthreat Assessment, remain among the most damaging threats to individuals and businesses on the continent.
The crackdown was coordinated under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime, with funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said the results show the growing power of international collaboration.
“Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information sharing and developing investigative skills across 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 said.
Angola: $37 Million Crypto Mining Operation Dismantled
Authorities in Angola dismantled 25 cryptocurrency mining centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals. The operation led to the seizure of mining equipment valued at more than $37 million.
The Angolan government announced that the confiscated assets would be repurposed to support power distribution in vulnerable communities.
Zambia: $300 Million Crypto Scam and Human Trafficking Network Exposed
In Zambia, investigators broke up a vast fraudulent investment scheme that defrauded more than 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million.
Criminals lured victims into cryptocurrency investments through aggressive advertising campaigns that promised high-yield returns, instructing participants to download multiple apps.
Authorities arrested 15 suspects and seized evidence including domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts. In the process, a suspected human trafficking network linked to the scam center was also disrupted.
Ivory Coast: Inheritance Scam Traced from Germany
Interpol also reported the dismantling of a transnational inheritance scam in Ivory Coast, traced back to Germany. Victims were deceived into paying fees to claim fake inheritances, causing $1.6 million in losses.
“Despite being one of the oldest-running internet frauds, inheritance scams continue to generate significant funds for criminal organizations,” INTERPOL said.
