INTERPOL has announced one of its largest cybercrime operations on the African continent, arresting more than 1,200 suspects and recovering close to $100 million in stolen assets.
The operation, codenamed Serengeti 2.0, ran from June to August 2025 under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime with funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Authorities across multiple African states coordinated to dismantle criminal networks running online fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and human trafficking schemes.
In total, 1,209 suspects were arrested, 88,000 victims identified, $97.4 million recovered, and more than 11,400 malicious online infrastructures dismantled, INTERPOL said.
“This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims,” said INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza. “Each operation builds on the last—deepening cooperation, sharing information, and sharpening investigative skills across borders.”
Major Busts Across the Continent
Angola: Authorities seized more than $37 million worth of cryptocurrency mining equipment and shut down 25 mining centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals. The Angolan government said the assets would be repurposed to strengthen power distribution for vulnerable communities.
Zambia: Investigators broke up a massive $300 million fraudulent investment scam that duped 65,000 victims into downloading fake apps for “high-yield” crypto returns. Fifteen suspects were arrested, and a linked human trafficking ring was also disrupted.
Ivory Coast: A long-running inheritance scam traced from Germany was dismantled, halting $1.6 million in losses. Victims were lured with promises of fake inheritances, one of the oldest internet fraud models still generating significant profits.
INTERPOL said the crackdown demonstrates how international coordination is now critical to tackling cyber-enabled crime, which crosses borders as seamlessly as the technology it exploits.
For victims, the arrests offer some measure of justice. For law enforcement, the message is clear: the fight against digital crime in Africa is no longer fragmented but increasingly global.
