Interpol Seizes $97M in Major African Cybercrime Bust
▼ Summary
– Interpol-led Operation Serengeti 2.0 resulted in 1,209 arrests and dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures, targeting cybercrimes like ransomware and online scams.
– The operation recovered $97.4 million and involved collaboration among 18 African nations, the UK, and private companies providing intelligence and technical support.
– In Angola, authorities dismantled 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers, confiscating over $37 million in equipment and uncovering illicit power stations.
– Zambia uncovered a $300 million online investment fraud affecting 65,000 victims and a scam center linked to human trafficking, seizing fake passports and arresting suspects.
– Investigations are ongoing with further arrests expected, as seen in Côte d’Ivoire where a transnational inheritance scam was broken up, resulting in losses of $1.6 million.
A major international law enforcement effort has resulted in the seizure of nearly $100 million and the arrest of more than 1,200 suspects across Africa in one of the largest cybercrime crackdowns in recent history. The operation, known as Operation Serengeti 2.0, united authorities from 18 African nations and the United Kingdom in a coordinated push to dismantle criminal networks responsible for ransomware attacks, online scams, and business email compromise schemes.
Between June and August 2025, investigators successfully shut down 11,432 malicious online infrastructures and recovered approximately $97.4 million in illicit proceeds. Private sector partners played a crucial role by providing intelligence, technical support, and specialized training, enabling law enforcement to identify and neutralize threats before they could cause further harm. This included tracking suspicious IP addresses, domains, and command-and-control servers used by cybercriminals.
In Angola, authorities uncovered and dismantled 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining operations run by 60 Chinese nationals. These facilities were powered by 45 unauthorized power stations and used high-end equipment valued at over $37 million. The Angolan government announced plans to repurpose the confiscated mining hardware to improve power distribution in underserved regions of the country.
Zambian police exposed a sprawling online investment scam that defrauded some 65,000 victims of nearly $300 million. Promising unrealistic returns, the fraudsters used aggressive advertising to lure people into investing in cryptocurrency through a series of deceptive mobile applications. Fifteen individuals have been arrested so far, and law enforcement has seized domains, bank accounts, and communication devices as part of the ongoing investigation. In a related operation, Zambian authorities also uncovered a scam center with ties to human trafficking and recovered 372 counterfeit passports from seven different countries.
In Côte d’Ivoire, police disrupted a transnational inheritance scam originating in Germany. The scheme tricked victims into paying fees to access non-existent inheritances, resulting in losses of around $1.6 million. The primary suspect was taken into custody, and officers confiscated luxury items including jewelry, cash, vehicles, and electronic equipment.
Interpol has confirmed that investigations stemming from Operation Serengeti 2.0 are still active, with additional arrests anticipated as international agencies pursue new leads. The operation underscores the growing collaboration between national law enforcement bodies and private industry in the fight against cybercrime.
(Source: HelpNet Security)
