Interpol, in collaboration with Afripol, announced the arrest of 1,006 suspects across 19 African countries during a two-month operation aimed at combatting cybercrime. Operation Serengeti, which ran from September 2 to October 31, targeted a range of cybercrimes including ransomware attacks, business email compromise, digital extortion, and online scams.
The operation uncovered 35,000 victims globally, with financial losses totaling nearly $193 million. The crackdown revealed the increasing sophistication of cybercrimes, from credit card fraud to large-scale Ponzi schemes. Notable arrests include those linked to a $6 million Ponzi scheme in Senegal, an online fraud ring in Kenya involving $8.6 million, and a multi-level marketing scam in Cameroon tied to human trafficking.
Afripol’s executive director, Jalel Chelba, emphasized the growing role of law enforcement in African Union member states, particularly as cyber threats evolve with advancements like AI-driven malware. The success of Serengeti marked a significant step forward in tackling the rising tide of cybercrime across Africa, with Interpol highlighting improvements in intelligence-sharing and international collaboration among participating countries.
