Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 14 hrs ago
Interpol-led Africa operation arrests 1,462 suspected cybercriminals
An Interpol-led operation arrested 1,462 suspected cybercriminals across Africa between June and August.
The crackdown, called Operation Serengeti III, involved authorities from 21 countries and targeted online scams, ransomware and business email fraud.
Investigators disrupted nearly 11,000 malicious networks and recovered more than $105 million in suspected criminal funds.
They identified nearly 66,000 victims, whose combined losses were estimated at more than $385 million.
In Uganda, police dismantled two fraud rings accused of using fake investment platforms to target people, including pensioners in Asia.
In Angola, authorities shut down illegal cryptocurrency mining sites, while Nigerian investigators pursued phishing and investment scams.
Several investigations remain open as authorities identify suspects, trace funds and examine seized evidence.
Interpol-led Operation Serengeti III arrested 1,462 suspected cybercriminals across Africa.
The operation disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered more than $105 million in illicit funds.
Investigators identified 65,929 victims and estimated losses at more than $385 million.
The crackdown targeted online scams, ransomware and business email compromise.
Authorities said investigations remain open as they work to identify suspects and trace funds.
- Who
- Law enforcement agencies coordinated by Interpol, with support from private cybersecurity firms.
- What
- Operation Serengeti III arrested 1,462 suspected cybercriminals and disrupted 10,909 malicious networks.
- When
- June 29 to August 31, 2026.
- Where
- Across Africa, with authorities from 21 countries involved.
- Why
- To target cybercrime including online scams, ransomware and business email compromise.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Operation Serengeti III took place, targeting cybercrime across Africa.
Interpol announced the operation’s results, including 1,462 arrests and more than $105 million recovered.
- Arrests
- 1,462 suspected cybercriminals
- Networks disrupted
- 10,909 malicious networks
- Funds recovered
- More than $105 million
- Victims identified
- 65,929
- Estimated losses
- More than $385 million
- Participating countries
- 21 countries
3 sources
What people are saying
Our ability to see attacker infrastructure at internet scale gives defenders a fundamentally different starting point. Instead of waiting for an attack and then investigating the damage, we can help expose the networks behind criminal operations and can enable defensive actions