Authorities Disrupt Nearly 11,000 Cybercrime Networks Across Africa in Major International Crackdown

Law enforcement agencies across Africa have disrupted nearly 11,000 cybercrime networks and arrested more than 1,400 suspects during a major international operation targeting online fraud, ransomware, phishing, and other digital crimes.

The operation, known as Operation Serengeti III, was coordinated by INTERPOL and involved authorities from 21 countries. Conducted between June 29 and August 31, 2026, the crackdown resulted in 1,462 arrests, the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks, and the recovery of more than $105 million in illicit funds.

Investigators identified approximately 65,929 victims targeted by cybercriminal networks, with estimated financial losses exceeding $385 million.

Uganda recorded one of the operation’s most significant developments, with authorities dismantling two international fraud networks and arresting 365 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in investment and pension scams targeting victims across Asia. Investigators discovered sophisticated call-center operations using fraudulent investment platforms, fake websites, and scripted communications to deceive victims.

In Angola, authorities dismantled two illegal cryptocurrency mining facilities, arresting nine suspects and confiscating more than 2,000 mining devices. Investigators also seized six illegal electrical transformation stations valued at more than $1 million.

Nigerian authorities arrested a suspect connected to a large-scale phishing and business email compromise operation. The investigation revealed that the criminal operation had collected approximately 2.1 million email addresses and stolen software credentials. Another investigation uncovered an international investment fraud scheme involving more than $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds, much of which had been transferred through cryptocurrency transactions.

The crackdown also targeted fraudulent mobile lending applications in Tanzania, vehicle import scams in Gabon, and cybercrime operations in the Republic of Congo.

Private cybersecurity companies supported the operation by providing intelligence, technical analysis, and information about suspicious domains, IP addresses, and command-and-control infrastructure.

INTERPOL emphasized that international cooperation remains essential to combating cybercrime, as criminal networks increasingly operate across national borders and exploit digital technologies to target victims worldwide.