Major Anti-Cybercrime Initiative Results in Over 1,200 Arrests Across Africa
Law enforcement authorities in Africa have made significant strides in combating cybercrime through ‘Operation Serengeti 2.0,’ an INTERPOL-led initiative that resulted in the arrest of 1,209 suspects between June and August 2025. This operation targeted cross-border cybercriminal gangs and led to the seizure of $97.4 million, alongside the dismantling of 11,432 malicious infrastructures linked to attacks affecting nearly 88,000 victims worldwide. The operation involved collaboration among investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, focusing on high-impact cybercrimes such as ransomware, online scams, and Business Email Compromise (BEC). Funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, this joint action also leveraged data from private sector partners, including Cybercrime Atlas, Fortinet, and Kaspersky, enhancing the effectiveness of the crackdown.
‘Operation Serengeti 2.0’ is part of a broader trend of coordinated efforts against cybercrime in Africa, following previous successful operations like ‘Operation Red Card,’ which apprehended 306 suspects between November 2024 and February 2025, and an earlier ‘Operation Serengeti’ that led to 1,006 arrests. Additionally, ‘Operation Africa Cyber Surge II,’ launched in April 2023, resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects linked to extortion and phishing, responsible for over $40 million in losses. INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza emphasised that each operation builds on the last, fostering deeper cooperation and information sharing among member countries. As the global network strengthens, the outcomes continue to grow in scale and impact, effectively safeguarding victims from cyber threats.
Categories: Cybercrime Operations, International Cooperation, Victim Impact
Tags: Operation Serengeti 2.0, Cybercriminals, INTERPOL, Cybercrime, Ransomware, Online Scams, Business Email Compromise, Law Enforcement, Victims, International Crackdown