A major international operation led by Interpol has produced impressive results in the fight against cybercrime in Africa. This effort, known as Operation Serengeti 2.0, took place between June and August 2025. It involved the cooperation of law enforcement agencies from 18 African nations and the United Kingdom. This coordinated strike aimed to dismantle organized cybercriminal networks that have inflicted financial harm on thousands worldwide.
During the operation, authorities arrested 1,209 suspects and recovered approximately $97.4 million believed to be obtained illegally. Investigators reported identifying nearly 88,000 victims of various cybercrimes, including inheritance scams, ransomware attacks, and business email compromises. The scale of these crimes underscored the considerable threat posed by cybercriminals in the region.
Inheritance scams, some of the oldest forms of online fraud, continue to yield significant profits for criminal organizations. Similarly, ransomware attacks and email compromise schemes are becoming increasingly prevalent threats in Africa, as highlighted by Interpol’s assessments. These crimes not only target individuals but also strain resources across the continent.
In a notable instance, Angolan law enforcement shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining operations run by 60 Chinese nationals. This operation resulted in the seizure of equipment valued at over $37 million. Local authorities plan to repurpose this equipment to help distribute electricity in underserved communities, addressing unauthorized blockchain activities that had caused resource depletion.
Zambian officials made significant strides by disrupting a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme that had defrauded over 65,000 victims of around $300 million. The scammers used aggressive advertising to entice individuals into downloading misleading apps that promised high returns. This crackdown led to 15 arrests and the seizure of numerous domains, phone numbers, and bank accounts connected to the scam. During the investigation, authorities also uncovered a potential human trafficking ring, confiscating 372 forged passports from various countries.
In Côte d’Ivoire, law enforcement dismantled a cross-border inheritance scam traced back to Germany, resulting in losses of $1.6 million for victims. The operation culminated in the arrest of the primary suspect and the recovery of valuable assets, including electronics, jewelry, cash, and vehicles.
Operation Serengeti 2.0 was bolstered by partnerships with private sector organizations such as Kaspersky, Group-IB, and Fortinet, enhancing the investigative capabilities of participating nations. Funding for the operation came from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as part of a broader initiative to combat cybercrime in Africa.
Prior to this operation, the inaugural Operation Serengeti in 2024 had already achieved major success, leading to over 1,000 arrests and assisting 35,000 victims. Each new operation builds on previous successes, enhancing information sharing and investigative skills among participants. According to Interpol’s Secretary General, the increased contributions from member nations strengthen global networks and yield tangible benefits for victims.
The operation highlighted the critical necessity of international collaboration in tackling cybercrime that transcends national borders. These combined efforts aim to safeguard vulnerable populations from evolving digital threats that could exploit their resources and security.
The scope of these operations and the extensive involvement of various nations prove that tackling cybercrime is a collective priority. Such initiatives stand as a bulwark against the complex, often global nature of these illegal activities targeting innocent people.
"*" indicates required fields
