Interpol’s Serengeti 2.0 Swoops: 1,209 Arrested, $97.4M Recovered in Africa-Wide Cybercrime Crackdown

Interpol, in partnership with law enforcement across 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, has cracked down hard on cybercrime with Operation Serengeti 2.0—a sweeping operation held from June to August 2025 that resulted in 1,209 arrests, the dismantling of 11,432 malicious infrastructures, and the recovery of USD 97.4 million in stolen assets.

Key Findings & What Was Targeted

• Nearly 88,000 victims were identified, affected by high-impact cybercrimes including ransomware, online scams, and business email compromise (BEC).

• In Angola, authorities shut down 25 illicit cryptocurrency mining centers, operated by around 60 Chinese nationals, and seized mining and IT equipment valued at over USD 37 million, plus 45 unauthorized power stations.

• Zambia exposed a massive investment fraud scheme that defrauded about 65,000 people of approximately USD 300 million. Fifteen suspects were arrested, with digital evidence (domains, accounts, apps) seized.

• In Côte d’Ivoire, a transnational inheritance scam originating in Germany was dismantled, with victims tricked into paying fees to claim estates that didn’t exist.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just another cybercrime story—it’s a major milestone in cross-border cooperation. Serengeti 2.0 shows the power of intelligence sharing and private-sector partnerships (companies like Kaspersky, Fortinet, etc.) in helping law enforcement keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

For victims, it’s a relief—and possibly a turning point. For too long, many cybercrimes in Africa have gone unchecked, with stolen funds, compromised data, and minimal recourse. This operation helps to set a higher bar for accountability.

Challenges & Looking Forward

• Although many suspects were arrested and infrastructures dismantled, criminal actors are constantly adapting. Ransomware, BEC, and scam networks are evolving.

• Leveling up digital forensics, cybersecurity awareness among citizens, and regulation will be essential to sustain the gains.

• Cross-country cooperation must remain strong—since many cyber threats are transnational by nature.