In a massive move against cybercrime, INTERPOL and AFRIPOL have jointly led Operation Serengeti, targeting the rapidly evolving digital underworld across 19 African nations. Between September 2 and October 31, this initiative achieved staggering results, including 1,006 arrests, dismantling 134,089 malicious infrastructures, and identifying more than 35,000 victims connected to nearly $193 million in global financial losses.
The Scale of the Threat
As cybercriminals evolve with tactics like ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and AI-driven scams, Africa has become both a battleground and breeding ground for cyber threats. The 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report highlighted these threats, and Operation Serengeti took direct aim at the most significant actors, using actionable intelligence derived from 65 Cyber Analytical Reports created during the operation.
National Success Stories
- Kenya: Authorities cracked a complex case involving online credit card fraud that siphoned off USD 8.6 million by exploiting banking system vulnerabilities. Arrests of nearly two dozen individuals linked the funds to international destinations, including the UAE, Nigeria, and China, before being funneled into digital assets.
- Senegal: A USD 6 million Ponzi scheme masterminded by eight suspects, including five Chinese nationals, ensnared 1,811 victims. Investigators found a treasure trove of incriminating evidence, including over 900 SIM cards and copies of victims’ ID cards.
- Nigeria: Authorities apprehended a man accused of running fraudulent crypto investment schemes, luring victims through messaging platforms with false promises of returns. His scams netted him over USD 300,000.
- Cameroon: Perhaps the most harrowing case involved human trafficking. Victims from seven countries were lured into a multi-level marketing scam under false promises of employment. Held captive, they were forced to recruit others for their freedom. The group amassed USD 150,000 in fees.
- Angola: Investigators dismantled an international criminal group operating a virtual casino in Luanda, defrauding gamblers from Brazil and Nigeria. Officers arrested 150 suspects and seized over 200 computers and 100 mobile phones.
Collaboration Makes the Difference
Operation Serengeti showcased the power of international cooperation. With funding from organizations like the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, alongside contributions from private sector partners like Internet Service Providers, the operation underscores the importance of partnerships in combating transnational cybercrime.
What’s Next?
According to Ambassador Jalel Chelba, AFRIPOL’s Executive Director, the focus is now shifting to emerging threats such as AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques, which promise to escalate the stakes in the digital realm. Meanwhile, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza affirmed that these efforts are just “the tip of the iceberg.”
