Additional Coverage:
International Cybercrime Sweep Nets Over 1,200 Arrests
In a massive international operation targeting cybercriminals, authorities across Britain and 18 African nations have apprehended over 1,200 individuals, impacting nearly 88,000 victims. Operation Serengeti 2.0, spearheaded by Interpol, also recovered $97.4 million and dismantled thousands of instances of malicious online infrastructure.
One significant victory involved dismantling a Zambian online investment fraud scheme that bilked approximately 65,000 victims out of $300 million. In Angola, authorities uncovered 25 cryptocurrency mining centers powered by 45 illegal power stations.
The seized hardware, valued at over $37 million, will now be incorporated into Angola’s national power grid. Sixty Chinese nationals were arrested at these sites for illicit cryptocurrency mining activities.
An “inheritance scam” originating in Germany and targeting victims in the Ivory Coast was also disrupted. Authorities recovered approximately $1.6 million in jewelry, cash, electronics, and other assets, and arrested a key suspect.
Interpol General Secretary Valdecy Urquiza emphasized the growing strength and effectiveness of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, highlighting the operation’s success in “delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims.” The operation underscores Interpol’s recent warnings about the sharp rise in cybercrime across Africa and the need for collaborative efforts to address these evolving threats. Participating nations included Angola, Benin, Britain, Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.