Interpol Busts 1,000 Cybercrime Suspects in Operation Serengeti

A joint international operation spearheaded by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL has culminated in the arrest of 1,006 suspects across 19 African nations and the dismantling of over 134,000 malicious infrastructures.

Dubbed Operation Serengeti, the initiative, which ran from September 2 to October 31, tackled major cyber threats such as ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion, and online scams, all highlighted in the 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.

Key outcomes and financial impact

The operation uncovered over 35,000 victims and linked cases to financial losses amounting to nearly $193 million globally. Intelligence from member states and private-sector partners enabled the production of 65 Cyber Analytical Reports, driving focused and intelligence-led actions against significant cybercriminal networks.

Private sector collaborators, including major cybersecurity firms and ISPs, played a pivotal role by sharing insights, identifying vulnerabilities, and securing critical infrastructures in participating countries. This cooperative approach resulted in proactive interventions, such as patching systems and analyzing threats in real-time.

Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza praised the operation, stating, “These arrests alone will save countless potential future victims from personal and financial pain. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and we will continue targeting these criminal groups worldwide.” AFRIPOL’s Executive Director Jalel Chelba echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the growing threat posed by AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques.

• Kenya: Authorities disrupted a credit card fraud ring responsible for $8.6 million in losses. The scheme involved altering banking security protocols and transferring stolen funds via SWIFT to destinations in the UAE, Nigeria, and China before converting them to digital assets. Nearly two dozen arrests were made.
• Senegal: An online Ponzi scheme defrauded 1,811 victims of $6 million. Investigators seized over 900 SIM cards, $11,000 in cash, and a trove of personal data from eight suspects, including five Chinese nationals.
• Nigeria: A scammer running cryptocurrency investment frauds was arrested, having swindled $300,000 from victims lured with false promises of lucrative returns.
• Cameroon: Police uncovered a human trafficking ring exploiting victims from seven nations. Participants were coerced into running multi-level marketing scams under threats of captivity. The group had amassed at least $150,000 in membership fees.
• Angola: Investigators dismantled an international virtual casino scam targeting Brazilian and Nigerian gamblers. The scheme’s organizers recruited victims to expand their base, resulting in over 150 arrests and the seizure of 200 computers and 100 mobile phones.

This operation highlights the evolving sophistication of cybercrime in Africa, with emerging trends like AI-powered attacks and increasingly coordinated transnational networks. The success of Operation Serengeti underscores the importance of collaboration among law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and private sector entities.