Operation Serengeti: Major Cybercrime Sweep Across Africa Nets 1,006 Suspects
Interpol and Afripol recently concluded Operation Serengeti, a joint operation spanning 19 African countries. This massive crackdown resulted in the arrest of 1,006 suspects and the dismantling of 134,089 malicious infrastructures and networks used to perpetrate various cybercrimes.
Operation Serengeti, which ran from September 2nd to October 31st, targeted criminals involved in a range of cyber threats, including:
- Ransomware
- Business email compromise (BEC)
- Digital extortion
- Online scams
These threats were identified as prominent in the 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.
The operation uncovered a staggering USD 193 million in financial losses worldwide, with over 35,000 victims identified. Interpol Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, highlighted the severity of the issue: “From multi-level marketing scams to credit card fraud on an industrial scale, the increasing volume and sophistication of cybercrime attacks is of serious concern.”
Collaboration was key to the operation’s success. Interpol and Afripol worked closely with national law enforcement agencies, internet service providers, and other private sector partners. This collaborative approach facilitated intelligence sharing, analysis, and the disruption of criminal activities.
Notable Cases:
- Kenya: Authorities cracked a credit card fraud case resulting in USD 8.6 million in losses. The stolen funds were traced through complex financial networks spanning the UAE, Nigeria, and China.
- Senegal: Eight individuals were arrested for running a USD 6 million online Ponzi scheme that victimized over 1,800 people.
- Nigeria, Cameroon, and Angola: Arrests were made in connection with online investment scams, human trafficking linked to multi-level marketing schemes, and an illegal virtual casino operation.
Looking Ahead:
While Operation Serengeti resulted in significant arrests and the disruption of criminal networks, both Interpol and Afripol acknowledge that this is an ongoing battle.
“Operation Serengeti shows what we can achieve by working together, and these arrests alone will save countless potential future victims from real personal and financial pain. We know that this is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will continue targeting these criminal groups worldwide,” stated Urquiza.
Afripol emphasized its commitment to combating emerging threats, with Executive Director, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, stating: “Our focus now includes emerging threats like AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques.”
