Interpol has pulled off its largest cybercrime crackdown yet across Africa, unveiling a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of 1,209 suspects and the recovery of nearly $97.4 million. Dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, the effort took place from June to August 2025 and targeted a staggering array of cyber-enabled crimes—everything from inheritance scams and ransomware to business email compromise and fraudulent investment schemes. According to Interpol’s official statement, the operation brought together investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, demonstrating the power of international collaboration in the fight against digital crime.
“Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information sharing and developing investigative skills across member countries. With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact. This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims,” explained INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, as cited by Interpol’s press release.
The numbers from Operation Serengeti 2.0 are eye-opening. Nearly 88,000 victims were identified as targets of various scams, and over 11,400 malicious online infrastructures were dismantled, according to Interpol and DW. The operation was coordinated under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime, with funding support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Private sector partners like Cybercrime Atlas, Fortinet, and Kaspersky also provided critical intelligence and training, helping investigators act swiftly and decisively.
One of the most dramatic successes unfolded in Angola, where authorities dismantled 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals. The haul? Equipment valued at more than $37 million. The Angolan government announced plans to repurpose these confiscated assets to support power distribution in vulnerable communities—a move that not only disrupts criminal operations but also promises to benefit local infrastructure. The crackdown on illegal crypto mining comes at a time when countries across the region, including Tajikistan, are grappling with the energy demands of such operations, which can siphon off much-needed electricity from national grids.
Meanwhile, in Zambia, investigators unraveled a massive online investment fraud scheme. This elaborate scam defrauded more than 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million. The criminals behind the operation lured victims with aggressive advertising campaigns, promising high-yield returns on cryptocurrency investments. Victims were instructed to download multiple apps to participate, only to be left empty-handed. Authorities arrested 15 suspects, seizing domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts as evidence. In a surprising twist, the same operation also disrupted a suspected human trafficking network linked to the scam center, with authorities uncovering 372 forged passports from seven different countries, according to a report by AInvest Nova.
The operation’s reach didn’t stop there. In Ivory Coast, Interpol dismantled a transnational inheritance scam originating in Germany. Victims were deceived into paying fees to claim fictitious inheritances, resulting in $1.6 million in losses. “Despite being one of the oldest-running internet frauds, inheritance scams continue to generate significant funds for criminal organizations,” Interpol noted in its official communication. The persistence of such scams underscores the adaptability of cybercriminals, who continue to exploit old tricks through new digital means.
Beyond the high-profile arrests and asset seizures, Operation Serengeti 2.0 also prioritized capacity building. Investigators took part in workshops covering open-source intelligence tools, cryptocurrency investigations, and ransomware analysis. This focus on training and information sharing was no afterthought—it directly contributed to the operation’s success and is expected to strengthen investigative capabilities across Africa for years to come. The operation also partnered with the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network (InterCOP), a consortium of law enforcement agencies from 36 countries, to help identify and mitigate potential cybercriminal activity before it could escalate.
According to AP News, the crackdown was part of a growing response to the alarming rise of cybercrime across the African continent. Ransomware, online scams, and business email compromise schemes have become some of the most damaging threats to individuals and businesses alike, as highlighted in Interpol’s latest Africa Cyberthreat Assessment. The sheer scale of the operation—spanning 18 countries and involving both public and private sector partners—demonstrates just how seriously law enforcement agencies are taking these threats.
Interpol, headquartered in Lyons, France, is the world’s largest international police network, with 196 member countries. Its mandate covers everything from counterterrorism and organized crime to financial crime and child pornography. In recent years, the organization has grappled with new challenges, including a growing caseload of cybercrime and child sex abuse, as well as increasing divisions among its member states. Operation Serengeti 2.0 builds on last year’s inaugural effort, which resulted in over 1,000 arrests and targeted 35,000 victims. This year’s operation not only surpassed those numbers but also demonstrated the evolving tactics of cybercriminals and the need for equally adaptive law enforcement strategies.
Funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was crucial, enabling Interpol to coordinate resources and expertise across borders. The UK’s involvement also reflects a broader trend of international cooperation, with countries recognizing that cybercrime knows no boundaries and requires a united response. The operation’s success has already sparked discussions about future collaborations and the potential for expanding similar initiatives to other regions facing cyber threats.
While Operation Serengeti 2.0 marks a significant victory, it also serves as a stark reminder: cybercrime is constantly evolving, and so must the efforts to combat it. The operation’s emphasis on training, intelligence sharing, and public-private partnerships sets a new standard for international law enforcement. As cybercriminals continue to adapt, so too will the global network of investigators determined to stop them.
In the end, Operation Serengeti 2.0 stands as a testament to what’s possible when borders are no barrier to justice and when law enforcement agencies, governments, and private partners join forces to protect victims and hold criminals accountable.
