OMM Newsroom
At least 1,462 people have been detained and $105 million in illicitly obtained assets recovered in an international operation targeting cybercrime in Africa, AnewZ reported. The operation exposed the expanding reach of international online fraud networks.
According to information released by INTERPOL on Thursday, law enforcement agencies from 21 countries took part in Operation Serengeti III, which ran from June 29 to August 31. Authorities also shut down 10,909 malicious online networks linked to various forms of cybercrime.
INTERPOL said the fraud schemes uncovered caused losses of more than $385 million and affected tens of thousands of people around the world.
INTERPOL Director of Cybercrime Neal Jetton said: “Criminal networks are increasingly using digital technologies without regard for national borders, enabling them to target victims on an unprecedented scale.”
Nearly 66,000 victims identified
Investigators identified nearly 66,000 victims of cybercrime, including online investment fraud, ransomware attacks, digital extortion and business email compromise schemes.
Investigations found that criminal groups had moved beyond simple online scams, using more sophisticated digital systems and cross-border financial networks to transfer illicit proceeds and conceal their activities.
Investigations are continuing. Analysts are examining digital evidence and financial records to identify additional suspects and recover more stolen assets.
Operations in Uganda, Angola and Nigeria
In one of the operation’s largest raids, investigators in Uganda dismantled two international fraud networks and detained 365 foreign nationals. Police said the groups had targeted people in Asia through sophisticated investment and pension fraud schemes.
The suspects allegedly used fake sales scripts, fraudulent investment websites and online trading platforms to persuade victims to invest in nonexistent financial products. Those targeted included retirees and other vulnerable investors seeking higher returns on their savings.
In Angola, police shut down two illegal cryptocurrency mining sites and detained nine suspects. Authorities seized more than 2,000 cryptocurrency mining devices, as well as six unauthorized facilities supplying electricity to the sites. Officials estimated the value of the confiscated electricity infrastructure at more than $1 million.
The raids also highlighted concerns about illegal cryptocurrency mining in parts of Africa. Operators may use subsidized electricity or unauthorized connections to power energy-intensive facilities.
Nigerian authorities uncovered several major fraud schemes during the operation. Investigators detained a suspect accused of running a large-scale phishing scheme that allegedly collected software login credentials and about 2.1 million email addresses.
An international investment fraud network promoted through mobile messaging apps was also uncovered. Investigators traced more than $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds, which were reportedly transferred mainly through cryptocurrency transactions.
Other cases included fraudulent mobile lending operations dismantled in Tanzania and an online car-import scam uncovered in Gabon. In the Republic of the Congo, police detained 30 suspects linked to a cybercrime network operating across several countries.
Artificial intelligence increases fraud risks
Authorities from African countries including Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, Cameroon and Zimbabwe took part in the operation. Relevant U.S. agencies also provided support.
INTERPOL said information-sharing and cooperation with technology companies are vital to detecting malicious online networks and tracking criminal activity across borders.
The organization warned that criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to make fraud schemes more convincing and expand their reach. Security experts say AI can help scammers create persuasive messages, automate social engineering attacks and impersonate people online, making deception harder for victims and investigators to detect.
As internet access, digital payments and new technologies expand, cybercrime is becoming a rapidly growing threat to individuals, businesses and governments worldwide. INTERPOL stressed that Operation Serengeti III demonstrated the importance of closer international cooperation against criminal networks operating across national borders.
Jetton said the operation showed that coordinated action can help dismantle these networks, recover stolen funds and protect communities from online crime. Further arrests and asset seizures are possible as investigations into confiscated electronic devices and financial documents continue.
