Phase 2 of Operation Serengeti 2.0 has netted 1,200+ suspects, recouped US$97m, and dismantled 11,400 malicious digital setups.
Africa is has become a playground for international cybercrime syndicates exploiting significant gaps in the continent’s cybersecurity infrastructure and law enforcement capacity.
On 22 Aug 2025, INTERPOL announced an extensive, coordinated effort led by law enforcement agencies across Africa where more than 1,200 individuals had been arrested for their involvement in large-scale cybercrimes and digital fraud targeting almost 88,000 victims over a span of several months in 2025.
The campaign, known as Operation Serengeti 2.0, spanned June to August and involved 18 African nations* alongside the United Kingdom, tackling crimes such as ransomware, online scams, and business email compromise — threats recently identified as pressing issues in INTERPOL’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment.
Authorities successfully recovered approximately US$97.4m, and dismantled over 11,400 malicious digital infrastructures with support from a range of private partners. Key intelligence, including suspicious IP addresses and infrastructure details, was distributed to participating countries before the operation began, enabling targeted interventions.
- Angola’s authorities have taken down 25 illicit cryptocurrency mining centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals, seizing equipment and assets worth more than US$37m. These resources are now earmarked to improve electricity availability in vulnerable regions.
- In Zambia, a significant online investment fraud targeting 65,000 victims and causing losses of US$300m was dismantled, with arrests made and an array of digital evidence secured. Zambian law enforcement, in conjunction with immigration officials, also uncovered a scam center linked to human trafficking, confiscating hundreds of counterfeit passports.
- Côte d’Ivoire intercepted a transnational inheritance scam originating from Germany, arresting key suspects and confiscating valuable assets. The operation emphasized not only prosecution but also prevention, with workshops training investigators on modern methods and collaborative efforts with the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network to identify threats early.
The success of Phase 2 of the multi-phase Operation Serengeti 2.0 reflects deepening international cooperation, technical expertise, and proactive engagement to safeguard individuals and institutions across Africa.
*including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
