Interpol and AFRIPOL have announced the arrest of 83 individuals across six African nations in a massive, first-of-its-kind international operation targeting terrorist financing, cybercrime, and money laundering. The operation, codenamed Catalyst, was conducted between July and September 2025 and marked an unprecedented level of collaboration among law enforcement agencies combating financial crimes tied to terrorism.
According to Interpol’s official statement, the primary goal of Operation Catalyst was to identify and disrupt financial flows supporting terrorist organizations and their associated criminal networks. The operation’s results were striking: authorities investigated over 15,000 individuals and entities, uncovering $260 million in illicit fiat and cryptocurrency assets linked to criminal activity. Over $600,000 in funds have already been seized, with investigations ongoing to trace additional assets hidden through complex laundering schemes.
Out of the 83 individuals detained, 21 were connected to terrorism-related offenses, 28 to money laundering and fraud, 16 to cybercrime, and 18 to the illegal use of virtual assets. The operation highlights the growing intersection of cybercrime, terrorism, and cryptocurrency, underscoring how digital assets are increasingly used to obscure financial trails and bypass regulatory oversight.
Interpol Secretary General Valdeci Urquiza praised the operation as a milestone in global law enforcement cooperation. “Operation Catalyst is the first time counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and financial intelligence units from multiple African countries have joined forces with Interpol and AFRIPOL. By sharing intelligence and resources, we can more effectively trace and cut off financial lifelines sustaining terrorism,” Urquiza said.
AFRIPOL Executive Director Jalel Chelba echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the operation’s success lies in its “synergy and convergence of national efforts.” He noted that Africa’s law enforcement agencies, when united, can deliver a “decisive and coordinated response” to transnational threats and build a safer, more resilient continent.
Among the key cases cited by Interpol:
- Angola: 25 suspects were arrested in a case involving informal money transfer systems tied to terrorist financing and money laundering. Authorities seized $588,000, 100 mobile phones, and 40 computers, freezing 60 bank accounts.
- Kenya: Investigators uncovered a $430,000 laundering scheme using virtual assets. Two people were detained for recruiting youth into terrorist groups online, with funding traced through a Tanzanian crypto exchange.
- Nigeria: 11 alleged terrorists were arrested, including senior members of multiple extremist organizations.
- International case: Authorities exposed a crypto pyramid scheme affecting 100,000 victims across 17 countries, with losses exceeding $562 million. The network maintained large crypto wallets possibly tied to terrorism, and an international Red Notice was issued for the organizer of a $5 million crypto scam.
An Interpol spokesperson told Decrypt that cryptocurrencies are increasingly featured in financial crimes, especially across West and East Africa, where cybercrimes now account for 30% of recorded offenses. However, the agency clarified that while digital assets are being exploited by criminals, they are not yet the primary method of transaction in most cyber offenses.
Conclusion
Operation Catalyst demonstrates how global law enforcement agencies are adapting to the evolving nexus between crypto, cybercrime, and terrorism. As digital currencies become a double-edged sword — empowering innovation yet enabling anonymity — the need for cross-border intelligence sharing and blockchain tracking capabilities becomes more critical than ever. Interpol’s coordinated approach could set a new global precedent for tackling crypto-enabled financial crimes at scale.
