INTERPOL has successfully carried out Operation Serengeti 2.0, a large-scale crackdown on cybercrime networks across Africa between June and August 2025. The operation involved investigators from 18 African nations along with the United Kingdom and targeted ransomware, business email compromise, online scams, and other cyber threats identified in INTERPOL’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report.
The coordinated action led to 1,209 arrests, the dismantling of more than 11,000 malicious infrastructures, and the recovery of nearly USD 100 million in criminal proceeds.
In Angola, authorities shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centres run by foreign nationals and seized equipment and power infrastructure worth over USD 37 million. In Zambia, investigators disrupted a massive online investment scam that defrauded about 65,000 victims of nearly USD 300 million. The perpetrators were arrested, and assets such as bank accounts, mobile numbers, and domains were confiscated. A suspicious human trafficking network was also dismantled, with 372 fake passports linked to seven countries seized.
In Côte d’Ivoire, INTERPOL uncovered a cross-border inheritance fraud scheme that originated in Germany. The alleged mastermind was arrested, and cash, luxury cars, valuable goods, and documents were recovered. Victims had lost almost USD 1.6 million to this scam.
Private sector support played a vital role in the operation. TRM Labs provided blockchain intelligence that strengthened the investigation. Leads from Ghana connected to the Bl00dy ransomware group, a Conti offshoot targeting education, healthcare, and public institutions, helped disrupt money laundering channels. Intelligence from Seychelles also provided crucial insights into the RansomHub ransomware group.
Officials noted that the success of the cyber operation highlighted the growing impact of international collaboration and real-time intelligence sharing in tackling cybercrime. These efforts are expected to strengthen further with the introduction of TRM’s Beacon Network, a system designed to help law enforcement, industry, and researchers intercept illegal funds before they disappear.
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