Interpol, in collaboration with Afripol, successfully conducted a major crackdown on cybercrime across 19 African countries, arresting over 1,000 individuals suspected of various online criminal activities. The initiative, dubbed Operation Serengeti, ran from September 2 to October 31, 2024, and uncovered cyber schemes linked to nearly $193 million in global financial losses, affecting over 35,000 victims.
Focus on Emerging Cyber Threats
The operation targeted criminals engaged in ransomware attacks, business email compromise (BEC), phishing schemes, digital extortion, and other online scams identified as major threats in the 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.
Participating countries included Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Data-Driven Crackdown
Using intelligence from ongoing cases, 65 Cyber Analytical Reports were generated, guiding law enforcement actions to address the most significant actors. Collaboration with private-sector partners, such as Internet Service Providers, played a pivotal role in the operation by identifying vulnerabilities, providing technical support, and helping secure critical infrastructure.
Major Case Highlights
- Kenya: Authorities disrupted a USD 8.6 million credit card fraud operation. Criminals had altered banking security protocols to redistribute stolen funds through international networks, including Nigeria, China, and the UAE.
- Senegal: A Ponzi scheme involving USD 6 million and 1,811 victims led to the arrest of eight individuals, including five Chinese nationals. Officers seized over 900 SIM cards, phones, and cash.
- Nigeria: A man accused of defrauding victims of over USD 300,000 through cryptocurrency investment scams was arrested.
- Cameroon: Authorities dismantled a trafficking ring operating a multi-level marketing scam. Victims were lured with employment promises but were instead held captive and coerced into recruiting others.
- Angola: An international criminal group running a virtual casino targeting Brazilian and Nigerian gamblers was busted. Over 150 arrests were made, and officers seized 200 computers and more than 100 mobile phones.
Significance of the Operation
Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of Interpol, emphasized the growing sophistication of cybercrime, noting that the arrests represent a significant step in curbing future cyber threats. “Operation Serengeti shows what we can achieve by working together,” he said.
Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Executive Director of Afripol, highlighted the initiative’s broader impact, including enhanced law enforcement capacity and insights into evolving cybercrime tactics such as AI-driven malware.
Global Collaboration and Funding
The operation received funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Council of Europe. It was supported by several cybersecurity firms, including Fortinet, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro, which provided essential intelligence and technical expertise.
Operation Serengeti underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing the rising tide of cybercrime. By dismantling criminal networks and recovering significant financial losses, the operation has made strides in protecting digital ecosystems across Africa and beyond.
