In Two Months, Interpol Apprehends 1,006 Suspected Cybercriminals Throughout Africa

During a two-month cybercrime blitz that left tens of thousands of victims, including cases of human trafficking, and resulted in millions of dollars in financial losses, Interpol said Tuesday that it had apprehended 1,006 suspects in Africa.

The operation, known as Operation Serengeti, was carried out in 19 African nations between September 2 and October 31 in cooperation with Afripol, the African Union’s police force. According to a news release from Interpol, the operation targeted offenders engaged in ransomware, digital extortion, online fraud, and business email hack schemes.

“The increasing number and complexity of cyberattacks, ranging from pyramid schemes to widespread credit card fraud, are extremely worrisome,” stated Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza.

Interpol reported losses of around $193 million and identified 35,000 victims globally. Internet service providers and other commercial sector partners, as well as local law enforcement authorities, were essential to the operation. In the statement, Afripol’s Executive Director Jalel Chelba remarked, “Afripol has greatly strengthened its support for law enforcement in African Union member states with Serengeti.”

Nearly two dozen people were arrested by Kenyan police in connection with an online credit card fraud scam that resulted in $8.6 million in losses. Eight individuals, including five Chinese nationals, were detained in Senegal for participating in a $6 million online Ponzi scheme. According to Chelba, Afripol is currently concentrating on new threats including malware driven by artificial intelligence and sophisticated hacking methods.

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