Interpol’s Major Crackdown on Cybercrime in Africa: Operation Serengeti 2.0
Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, recently executed a significant operation targeting cybercrime across the African continent. This ambitious effort, named Operation Serengeti 2.0, focused on dismantling illegal cryptocurrency mining operations, inheritance frauds, and deceptive investment schemes. Conducted from June to August 2025, the operation resulted in over 1,200 arrests and the recovery of nearly $100 million in stolen funds and seized assets.
Details of Operation Serengeti 2.0
According to a press release dated August 22, Interpol coordinated efforts with 18 African nations, the United Kingdom, and private-sector allies. The operation successfully dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures impacting almost 88,000 victims through high-impact cybercrimes such as ransomware, scams, and business email compromise (BEC). Notably, law enforcement in Angola shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining sites operated by 60 Chinese nationals and commandeered 45 unauthorized power stations supplying these operations. Confiscated IT and mining machinery were valued at over $37 million.
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In Zambia, authorities exposed a colossal crypto investment fraud affecting 65,000 victims, with total losses amounting to $300 million. The crackdown led to 15 arrests and the seizure of domains, SIM cards, and bank accounts linked to the scam, which falsely promised investors substantial returns. Additionally, a sting operation in Lusaka dismantled a suspected human trafficking network, resulting in the confiscation of 372 forged passports from seven countries.
Furthermore, Ivorian police dismantled a cross-border inheritance scam originating from Germany. Victims were tricked into paying fees for non-existent inheritance claims, resulting in illicit gains of approximately $1.6 million. The primary suspect is currently detained, and authorities have seized cash, jewelry, and vehicles.
Insights from Interpol’s Leadership
Valdecy Urquiza, Interpol’s Secretary General, highlighted the significance of international cooperation in achieving such impactful results. He stated that each Interpol-coordinated operation builds on previous efforts, enhancing cooperation, increasing information sharing, and expanding investigative skills among member countries. With more contributions and shared expertise, the scope and impact of such operations continue to grow.
Operation Serengeti 2.0 was part of the African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime, with participation from countries including Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Key private partners in this operation included TRM Labs, Trend Micro, and Team Cypru.
Current State of the Cryptocurrency Market
As of the latest data, the global cryptocurrency market capitalization has reached an impressive $3.95 trillion, marking a 3.87% rise in the last 24 hours. Daily trading volume has surged to $157.12 billion, indicating increased activity across major digital tokens. Bitcoin, the market leader, is currently valued at $115,811, while Ethereum is trading at $4,700, both maintaining strong momentum amid broader market uptrends.
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