• Interpol operation recovered $97.4M, found 88,000 victims

• 1,209 arrests, 11,432 cybercrime networks dismantled across Africa

• Major scams uncovered in Angola, Zambia, and Ivory Coast
  

Interpol announced on Friday, August 22, that a massive anti-cybercrime operation across 18 African countries led to the recovery of $97.4 million and the identification of nearly 88,000 victims.

Codenamed "Serengeti 2.0," the operation, which ran from June to August 2025, also resulted in the dismantling of 11,432 criminal infrastructures and 1,209 arrests.

"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," said Valdecy Urquiza, the organization’s Secretary General.

Major Scams Exposed

In Angola, authorities discovered 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining farms, operated by 60 Chinese nationals and powered by 45 clandestine mini-power plants. The operation caused an estimated $37 million in damages. The seized equipment will be repurposed to improve electricity access in vulnerable areas.

In Zambia, investigators uncovered a massive online investment scam that affected nearly 65,000 victims and generated an estimated $300 million in losses. Fifteen suspects were arrested, and digital evidence was seized. Investigations are ongoing to trace financial flows and dismantle any international ramifications of the network.

In Ivory Coast, a transnational inheritance scam operating from Germany was neutralized. The main suspect was arrested, and valuables including jewelry, vehicles, and cash worth an estimated $1.6 million were seized.

Regional Cooperation and International Support

Supported by the United Kingdom as part of the African Joint Operations against Cybercrime (AFJOC), the initiative involved private sector experts in cryptocurrency tracing, ransomware analysis, and open-source intelligence. Interpol also collaborated with the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP), a consortium of 36 countries tasked with anticipating and neutralizing digital threats before they materialize.

The operation comes just a few months after "Operation Red Card," which led to the arrest of 306 people and the seizure of nearly 2,000 electronic devices in seven African countries: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Cybercrime is a critical issue for African economies, which are already weakened by unevenly developed digital infrastructures. According to the African Union, it costs the continent nearly $4 billion each year. A Cybersecurity Ventures study estimates that the rise of artificial intelligence will further exacerbate the situation, with global losses expected to increase by 11% to $10.5 billion in 2025.

Samira Njoya