Written by Were Kelly
More than 1,200 suspected cybercriminals have been captured over Africa in a clearing three-month Interpol-led crackdown that also disrupted major extortion networks, recovered $97.4 million (Sh12.58 billion), and destroyed over 11,000 online crime frameworks.
The operation, named Serengeti 2.0, ran between June and August 2025 over 18 African nations and the UK, focusing on high-harm cybercrimes such as online extortion, cryptocurrency scams, and business e-mail compromises.
About 88,000 victims were affected, according to Interpol. In Angola, authorities destroyed 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centres, run by 60 Chinese nationals who were illegally approving blockchain exchanges.
They also closed down 45 illegal power stations and seized IT and mining hardware worth over $37 million (Sh4.78 billion), which the government plans to repurpose to fortify power distribution in vulnerable communities.
In Zambia, investigators uncovered a large-scale online investment scam that swindled 65,000 casualties of an evaluated $300 million (Sh38.76 billion).
Authorities captured 15 suspects, seized forged documents, and seized digital evidence including bank accounts, domains, and mobile numbers. The probe also disturbed a suspected human trafficking network, revealing 372 fake international ids from seven nations.
Meanwhile, in Côte d’Ivoire police destroyed a transnational inheritance scam connected to Germany, capturing the ringleader and seizing assets worth $1.6 million (Sh206.7 million).
Interpol Secretary Common Valdecy Urquiza hailed the crackdown as a turning point in worldwide participation, noting that “each Interpol-coordinated operation builds on the last, strengthening the global fight against cybercrime.”
The operation was part of the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime, supported by the UK’s Remote, Commonwealth and Advancement Office, and upheld by driving private-sector cybersecurity firms.
