DAKAR, Senegal — Interpol coordinated a massive cybercrime crackdown. It led to 1,209 arrests across Africa. Authorities also recovered nearly $97.4 million, the police body said Friday.

The operation was called Operation Serengeti 2.0. It ran from June to August 2025. Cybercrime investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom took part. The initiative targeted a wide range of cybercrimes, including

• Cryptocurrency scams
• Ransomware
• Business email compromise (BEC)
• Inheritance fraud

These crimes devastate economies across the continent.

Interpol confirmed that the scams impacted nearly 88,000 victims worldwide, highlighting the global scale of Africa-based cybercrime networks.

How Did Operation Serengeti 2.0 Target Crypto Crimes?

In Angola, police shut down 25 illegal crypto mining centers. Over 60 Chinese nationals were running large-scale operations. Authorities seized equipment worth $37 million. The machines will now be used to support power distribution in vulnerable communities. This shows the wider benefits of ending illicit mining.

In Zambia, police took down a massive crypto scam. It defrauded more than 65,000 victims of nearly $300 million. Scammers lured victims with slick ads. They promised very high returns on crypto investments.

Victims were pressured to download multiple fake apps. The raid led to 15 arrests. Investigators also seized domains, bank accounts, and phone records. In the process, they found evidence of a human trafficking network tied to the scam.

What Other Scams Were Dismantled?

In the Ivory Coast, investigators dismantled a transnational inheritance scam originally traced back to Germany. Victims were tricked into paying “processing fees” to unlock nonexistent inheritances, resulting in nearly $1.6 million in losses.

Interpol noted that despite being one of the oldest internet scams, inheritance fraud remains a lucrative criminal enterprise for organized networks, especially in regions with weak cyber law enforcement.

Why Is Interpol Intensifying Its Cybercrime Crackdowns?

Interpol is based in Lyon, France. It is the world’s largest police network, with 196 member countries. The agency plays a key role in fighting cross-border crime. This includes terrorism, child exploitation, organized crime, and cyberattacks.

Cybercrime is rising fast in Africa. It is driven by mobile banking growth, cryptocurrency use, and social media scams.

In 2024, Operation Serengeti 1.0 led to over 1,000 arrests. Those scams targeted more than 35,000 victims. The success set the stage for stronger enforcement in 2025.

Interpol officials said global teamwork is critical. Cybercrimes are global in reach but local in execution.

The Bigger Picture: Africa’s Cybercrime Hotspot

Africa is now a major hub for cybercrime groups. Their crimes include romance scams, advance-fee frauds, and crypto pump-and-dump schemes. Weak oversight fuels the problem. High youth unemployment also plays a role. Widespread access to digital finance makes the region fertile for cybercriminals.

Global watchdogs, including Interpol, have raised alarms. They warn that cybercrime is the fastest-growing transnational crime. It costs the global economy hundreds of billions each year.

FAQs

1. What is Operation Serengeti 2.0?

Operation Serengeti 2.0 is an Interpol-led cybercrime operation in Africa (June–August 2025) targeting scams like crypto fraud, BEC schemes, and inheritance scams.

2. How many people were arrested during this crackdown?

A total of 1,209 suspects were arrested across 18 African nations in coordination with the UK.

3. What was the biggest scam uncovered?

In Zambia, investigators dismantled a crypto Ponzi scheme that defrauded 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million.

4. Why is Africa considered a cybercrime hotspot?

Factors include weak enforcement, rapid digital adoption, and economic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit for scams.

5. How much money was recovered during the operation?

Authorities seized $97.4 million in assets, including cryptocurrency mining equipment, bank accounts, and fraudulent digital infrastructure.