DAKAR, Senegal — In a significant crackdown on cybercrime across Africa, Interpol has apprehended over 1,000 individuals during a recent operation that spanned two months and targeted a variety of digital criminal activities. This operation resulted in tens of thousands of victims and extensive financial losses, including instances of human trafficking, as reported by the international policing body on Tuesday.
The operation, dubbed Serengeti, was a collaborative effort between Interpol and Afripol, the policing arm of the African Union. It took place from September 2 to October 31 and involved law enforcement from 19 countries across the continent. The main focus was on internet criminals involved in ransomware attacks, fraudulent business emails, digital extortion, and various online scams. “The rising frequency and sophistication of cybercrime threats are alarming,” stated Valdecy Urquiza, Interpol’s Secretary General.
According to Interpol’s findings, approximately 35,000 victims were identified, with financial losses tied to these crimes amounting to nearly $193 million globally. The operation was bolstered by the cooperation of local police and private sector partners, which included internet service providers.
Jalel Chelba, the Executive Director of Afripol, emphasized that the Serengeti operation has greatly improved law enforcement capabilities within the African Union member states. This was highlighted by various busts, such as the arrest of several individuals in Kenya connected to a large-scale credit card fraud scheme that resulted in losses of $8.6 million. In Senegal, authorities detained eight suspects, including five from China, as part of a $6 million Ponzi scheme.
Looking toward the future, Chelba mentioned Afripol’s intention to address emerging threats such as AI-powered malware and advanced cyberattack methodologies. Various criminal networks were also dismantled during the operation, including a group in Cameroon allegedly using a multi-level marketing scheme for human trafficking, an illegal virtual casino operation in Angola, and a cryptocurrency scam in Nigeria.
With a membership of 196 countries, Interpol aims to facilitate communication among national police forces dealing with a range of issues, from organized crime to cyber threats and child exploitation. As the largest international policing agency, Interpol is currently facing new challenges, including an increasing workload related to cybercrime and child exploitation, as well as rising tensions among member states.
In terms of financial resources, Interpol operated on a budget of approximately 176 million euros (around $188 million) last year. This contrasts with Europol, which had a budget exceeding 200 million euros, and the FBI in the United States, which budgeted around $11 billion, highlighting the disparities in funding among global law enforcement agencies.