Interpol Cracks Down on Cybercrime in Africa
A massive international crackdown against cybercriminal gangs has led to over 1,200 arrests across Africa. The operation, dubbed “Operation Serengeti 2.0,” was coordinated by INTERPOL between June and August 2025. Law enforcement agencies seized $97.4 million in illicit assets and dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures linked to cyberattacks that targeted nearly 88,000 victims worldwide.
Global Collaboration Against Online Crime
This operation was a joint effort under the framework of the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. The campaign involved 18 African nations and the United Kingdom, demonstrating a strong global partnership to combat high-impact cyber threats such as ransomware attacks, online scams, and business email compromise (BEC) schemes.
Private Sector Plays a Key Role
Private sector intelligence significantly contributed to the success of this mission. Leading cybersecurity companies and organizations, including Cybercrime Atlas, Fortinet, Group-IB, Kaspersky, Shadowserver Foundation, Team Cymru, Trend Micro, TRM Labs, and Uppsala Security, provided crucial data that guided investigators in dismantling criminal infrastructures and tracking down suspects.
A Pattern of Success in Previous Operations
“Operation Serengeti 2.0” is not the first major cybercrime bust led by INTERPOL. In late 2024, “Operation Red Card” resulted in the arrest of 306 cybercriminals, responsible for attacks impacting more than 5,000 victims worldwide. Similarly, the initial “Operation Serengeti” in 2024 saw 1,006 suspects arrested, most linked to ransomware, digital extortion, and BEC-related schemes. Going further back, in April 2023, “Africa Cyber Surge II” led to the arrest of 14 suspects connected to phishing, extortion, and BEC fraud, causing over $40 million in financial losses.
Building a Stronger Global Cybercrime Defense
INTERPOL’s Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, emphasized that each operation builds upon the previous one, creating a stronger global security network. Through shared intelligence, improved investigative skills, and deeper cooperation between countries, the results of these operations are becoming increasingly impactful. Urquiza stressed that this growing network is delivering real outcomes and protecting victims worldwide.
Conclusion
The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 underscores how vital international cooperation and public-private partnerships are in fighting cybercrime. With each large-scale operation, law enforcement agencies are becoming more effective at disrupting cybercriminal networks and safeguarding individuals and businesses across the globe. As cyber threats continue to evolve, these coordinated crackdowns will remain essential in ensuring a safer digital future.
