In one of the largest cybercrime crackdowns on the continent, INTERPOL has announced the arrest of 1,209 suspects in a sweeping operation targeting cybercriminal networks across Africa. The coordinated action, Operation Serengeti 2.0, exposed major online scams, ransomware groups, fraudulent investment schemes, and even illegal cryptocurrency mining centres.
According to INTERPOL, the operation, conducted between June and August 2025, involved 18 African countries alongside the United Kingdom. It resulted in the recovery of USD 97.4 million, the dismantling of 11,432 malicious infrastructures, and the protection of nearly 88,000 victims.
Africa at the Center of a Global Cybercrime Crackdown
The Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report had already flagged ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and online investment scams as urgent regional threats. Operation Serengeti 2.0 targeted exactly these high-impact crimes.
Private-sector partners, including TRM Labs, Fortinet, Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Uppsala Security, provided intelligence and technical support, helping investigators act quickly against suspicious IP addresses, domains, and command-and-control servers.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza emphasized the growing strength of cross-border collaboration:
“Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information sharing and developing investigative skills across member countries. With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact. This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims.”
Major Highlights from Operation Serengeti 2.0
Angola: Illegal Crypto Mining Centres Shut Down
Authorities dismantled 25 cryptocurrency mining farms, operated illegally by 60 Chinese nationals. Investigators uncovered 45 illicit power stations supplying the farms, which had been siphoning electricity to validate blockchain transactions.
- Estimated value of seized IT and mining equipment: USD 37 million
- Next step: The Angolan government plans to repurpose confiscated equipment and power infrastructure to support vulnerable communities.
Zambia: Investment Fraud and Human Trafficking Network Exposed
Zambian investigators busted a large-scale crypto investment scam targeting 65,000 victims with losses estimated at USD 300 million. The scheme relied on flashy marketing campaigns and fraudulent mobile apps promising unrealistic returns.
- 15 individuals arrested
- Key evidence seized: domains, mobile numbers, bank accounts
Authorities also disrupted a human trafficking network linked to cybercrime operations, seizing 372 forged passports from seven different countries.
Côte d’Ivoire: Inheritance Scam Shut Down
Investigators dismantled a transnational inheritance scam that originated in Germany but was operated out of Côte d’Ivoire.
- Victims lost an estimated USD 1.6 million in fake inheritance fees
- Police seized cash, vehicles, electronics, jewellery, and forged documents
Training and Prevention: Building Africa’s Cyber Resilience
Beyond arrests, Operation Serengeti 2.0 focused on capacity building. Investigators participated in workshops on open-source intelligence (OSINT), cryptocurrency investigations, and ransomware analysis.
The operation also partnered with the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP), a consortium of law enforcement agencies from 36 countries, to promote proactive monitoring of cybercrime threats.
Why This Matters for Africa’s Crypto and Web3 Ecosystem
The operation highlights two key realities:
- Cybercrime is evolving with crypto adoption, From mining farms to fake apps, blockchain technology is being exploited for illegal profits.
- Cross-border cooperation is essential, Cybercrime doesn’t stop at borders, and international partnerships are proving critical in dismantling criminal infrastructures.
For Africa’s growing Web3 community, these developments underscore the urgent need for:
- Stronger compliance standards for exchanges and startups
- Public awareness campaigns on crypto scams
- Collaboration with law enforcement to ensure sustainable growth of the digital economy
With 1,209 arrests, nearly $100 million recovered, and thousands of victims protected, Operation Serengeti 2.0 is a milestone in Africa’s fight against cybercrime. It sends a strong message: as digital assets and blockchain adoption grow across the continent, so does the need for vigilance, regulation, and cooperation to keep the ecosystem safe.
Participating Countries: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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