Law enforcement agencies across 19 African nations, working alongside Interpol and Afripol, have arrested over 1,000 suspects connected to various cybercrime operations that caused estimated losses of $192 million and impacted more than 35,000 victims.
The coordinated effort, known as Operation Serengeti, brought together authorities from countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and others to dismantle criminal networks engaged in ransomware attacks, business email compromise schemes, and digital fraud.
Private sector partners, including cybersecurity companies and internet service providers, supported the operation by sharing intelligence and helping to disrupt criminal infrastructure.
Notable cases uncovered during the operation included:
- A Cameroonian group that ran a trafficking-linked marketing scam, holding victims captive until they recruited others, netting around $150,000
- A sophisticated banking scheme using malicious scripts to steal over $8.6 million, leading to 23 arrests
- A Nigerian investment scam
- A $6 million Ponzi scheme operating from Senegal
- An illegal virtual casino based in Angola
Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza praised the operation's success while noting it represents "just the tip of the iceberg" in the fight against global cybercrime efforts.
The rise in African cybercrime has been fueled by growing economic opportunities combined with gaps in cybersecurity infrastructure. Nigeria ranks fifth globally among cybercrime-producing nations, while countries like Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa face increasing digital threats.
Security experts caution that while the arrests mark a major breakthrough, criminal groups often quickly rebuild their operations. They emphasize the need for stronger legal frameworks in developing nations and increased investment in cybersecurity education to create lasting impact.
The operation demonstrated unprecedented cooperation among African nations in tackling cybercrime, setting a new standard for future international law enforcement collaboration in the digital age.