Authorities across 18 African countries and the United Kingdom have successfully concluded a major international cybercrime operation that resulted in the arrest of 1,209 suspects and affected nearly 88,000 victims worldwide. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) announced the results of Operation Serengeti 2.0 on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The comprehensive law enforcement action, conducted between June and August 2025, represents the second phase of an ongoing initiative to combat transnational cybercrime networks operating across the African continent. The operation recovered $97.4 million in stolen funds and dismantled 11,432 instances of malicious infrastructure used by criminal organizations to conduct their operations.
Among the operation’s most significant achievements was the disruption of a large-scale investment fraud scheme based in Zambia that targeted approximately 65,000 victims and resulted in combined losses of around $300 million. Zambian authorities arrested 15 individuals connected to this cryptocurrency investment scam, which lured victims through advertising campaigns promising unrealistic high-yield returns. Officials also seized associated domains, mobile phone numbers, and bank accounts as part of the ongoing investigation.
In Angola, law enforcement agencies dismantled 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers, arresting 60 Chinese nationals involved in the illicit operation. The crackdown led to the identification and confiscation of 45 unauthorized power stations, along with mining and information technology equipment valued at more than $37 million. The Angolan government has designated this seized equipment to support power distribution in underserved areas.
The operation also successfully disrupted a transnational inheritance scam that originated in Germany, with authorities arresting the primary suspect and confiscating electronics, jewelry, cash, and vehicles. This particular fraud scheme is estimated to have caused financial losses of approximately $1.6 million to victims.
Operation Serengeti 2.0 was coordinated through Interpol’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) division, which receives funding support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The operation targeted various forms of cybercrime including ransomware attacks, online scams, and business email compromise schemes that have proliferated across the continent.
Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of Interpol, emphasized the growing effectiveness of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. “Each Interpol-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information sharing and developing investigative skills across member countries,” Urquiza stated. “With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact.”
The operation received intelligence support from cybersecurity firm Group-IB, which provided circumstantial intelligence on cryptocurrency investment scams and infrastructural details associated with various business email compromise campaigns across the African region. Dmitry Volkov, CEO of Group-IB, highlighted the global nature of the threat: “Cybercrime recognizes no borders, and its impact is truly global. The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 demonstrates what can be achieved when nations stand together against this threat.”
The latest operation builds upon previous successful law enforcement actions in the region. The initial phase of Operation Serengeti, conducted in late 2024, resulted in over 1,000 arrests and the dismantling of hundreds of thousands of malicious networks. Additionally, Operation Red Card, which took place between November 2024 and February 2025, led to the arrest of 306 suspects and the confiscation of 1,842 devices across seven African countries.
Recent deportation actions have also highlighted the international scope of cybercrime operations in Africa. Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recently deported 102 foreign nationals, including 60 Chinese and 39 Filipino individuals who were convicted of cyber terrorism and internet fraud. These deportees were among 792 suspected cybercriminals arrested in Nigeria during December 2024.
The scale and sophistication of the criminal networks targeted in Operation Serengeti 2.0 underscore the evolving nature of cybercrime across the African continent. The operation’s success in identifying and disrupting various criminal enterprises, from cryptocurrency scams to ransomware operations, demonstrates both the complexity of modern cybercrime and the effectiveness of coordinated international law enforcement responses.
The recovery of $97.4 million in stolen funds represents a significant financial impact on criminal operations while providing potential restitution opportunities for victims. The dismantling of over 11,400 malicious infrastructure components will also disrupt ongoing criminal activities and prevent future attacks using these systems.
The operation’s comprehensive approach, targeting both the technical infrastructure used by criminals and the human networks that operate these schemes, reflects evolving law enforcement strategies designed to address the multifaceted nature of modern cybercrime. As cybercriminal organizations continue to exploit technological advances and cross-border communication capabilities, international cooperation remains essential for effective enforcement action.
The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 provides a foundation for continued collaboration between African nations, the United Kingdom, and international law enforcement organizations in addressing the growing threat of transnational cybercrime affecting millions of victims worldwide.
By: Jide Adesina | 1stafrika.com
