A coordinated effort across 19 African countries, including Ghana, has led to the arrest of 1,006 suspects involved in widespread cyber fraud schemes.
Operation Serengeti, led by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL from 2 September to 31 October, disrupted 134,089 malicious networks and uncovered over $193 million in global financial losses, as outlined in INTERPOL’s 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.
During the operation, more than 35,000 victims were identified, and the cases have been linked to nearly USD 193 million in financial losses worldwide.
In Angola, authorities arrested 150 individuals and seized 200 computers and over 100 mobile phones, thereby dismantling a global criminal network running a virtual casino in Luanda that targeted Brazilian and Nigerian gamblers. The operation, which promised commission-based incentives for recruiting new members, defrauded hundreds.
Eight individuals, including five Chinese nationals, were apprehended in Senegal for operating a USD 6 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded 1,811 victims. A search of their residence revealed over 900 SIM cards, USD 11,000 in cash, electronic devices, and identification documents belonging to their victims.
In Cameroon, a group that operated a scheme that generated over USD 150,000 in membership fees was arrested for trafficking victims from seven countries to operate a deceptive multi-level marketing scheme. Victims were required to pay membership fees and were promised jobs or training, only to be held captive and forced to recruit others to secure their release.
Kenyan authorities uncovered a significant online credit card fraud operation responsible for USD 8.6 million in losses. The criminals manipulated banking system security protocols to run fraudulent scripts, transferring stolen funds via SWIFT to businesses in the UAE, Nigeria, and China, as well as to regulated digital asset institutions across multiple jurisdictions. Nearly 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with the scheme.
Also, Nigerian authorities detained a man accused of running fraudulent online investment schemes, amassing more than USD 300,000 by promising high returns on cryptocurrency investments via messaging platforms.
Major cybercrime operation nets 1,006 suspects🖥️
Authorities across 19 African countries dismantled 134,089 malicious infrastructures and identified over 35,000 victims thanks to a joint operation by #INTERPOL and AFRIPOL against cybercrime.
Full story🔗https://t.co/Mpv82g0Ah8 pic.twitter.com/P4A60Ro3tK
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) November 26, 2024
According to INTERPOL, information provided by participating countries including Rwanda, Mauritius and Mozambique, of ongoing cases fed into 65 Cyber Analytical Reports that were produced to ensure actions on the ground were intelligence-led and focused on the most significant actors.
“Private sector partners, including Internet Service Providers, also played a vital role by sharing intelligence, supporting analysis and disrupting criminal activities. They provided on-site support and offered round-the-clock remote assistance to patch vulnerabilities and secure critical infrastructure for the participating member countries,” INTERPOL noted.
Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of INTERPOL, has bemoaned the increasing volume and sophistication of cybercrime attacks, indicating that it “is of serious concern” due to the movement from multi-level marketing scams to credit card fraud on an industrial scale.
“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.”
Ambassador Jalel Chelba, AFRIPOL’s Executive Director said although his outfit has facilitated key arrests and deepened insights into cybercrime trends, “our focus now includes emerging threats like AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques.”
Operation Serengeti was carried out with funding of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the German Federal Foreign Office and the Council of Europe.
On a global scale, an operation involving law enforcement from 40 countries, territories and regions has ended with the arrest of over 5,500 financial crime suspects and the seizure of more than USD 400 million in virtual assets and government-backed currencies.
Financial crime operation makes record 5,500 arrests and seizures worth over USD 400 million 💰
Operation HAECHI V involving law enforcement from 40 countries, territories and regions, targeted seven types of cyber-enabled frauds.
Read the full story🔗➡️https://t.co/9xfay3uwWm pic.twitter.com/UQHwXGl6ZD
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) November 27, 2024
The five-month Operation HAECHI V (July – November 2024) targeted seven types of cyber-enabled frauds: voice phishing, romance scams, online sextortion, investment fraud, illegal online gambling, business email compromise fraud and e-commerce fraud.
INTERPOL also issued a Purple Notice during Operation HAECHI V to warn countries about an emerging cryptocurrency fraud practice involving stablecoin. Member countries were alerted to the “USDT Token Approval Scam” which allows fraudsters to access and control victims’ cryptocurrency wallets.
The two-step approach first lures in victims using romance baiting techniques, instructing them to buy popular Tether stablecoins (USDT Tokens) via a legitimate platform. Once the scammers have gained their trust, the victims are provided with a phishing link claiming to allow them to set up their investment account.
