The key facts
- 1,461+ suspects arrested (1,462), $105 million seized, victim losses exceed $385 million
- Agencies from 21 countries took part; 10,909 malicious networks disrupted, nearly 66,000 victims identified
- Major cases: fraudulent call centers in Uganda, crypto mining in Angola, phishing in Nigeria
Results of Operation Serengeti III
Interpol reported that during Operation Serengeti III, which ran from June 29 to August 31, at least 1,462 people were arrested across Africa and $105 million in illicit funds were recovered. According to the organization, the criminal activity of those detained caused damage exceeding $385 million. Law enforcement agencies from 21 countries took part in the operation, including Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and the United States; the functioning of 10,909 malicious networks was disrupted. Investigators identified nearly 66,000 victims of schemes involving online investment fraud, ransomware, digital extortion, and fake business communications.
Major cases by country
In Uganda, police dismantled two international fraud operations and detained 365 foreigners accused of targeting victims in Asia through investment and pension schemes. The suspects worked in call centers, using prepared scripts, fake investment websites, and counterfeit trading platforms to persuade victims, including pensioners, to invest in non-existent financial opportunities. In Angola, authorities shut down two illegal crypto mining farms, detained nine suspects, and seized more than 2,000 mining devices, as well as six unauthorized electrical installations worth over $1 million. In Nigeria, a suspect was detained in a large-scale phishing scheme that harvested program credentials and about 2.1 million email addresses; a separate investigation uncovered investment fraud promoted via messaging apps, with $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds traced, a significant portion of which was transferred in cryptocurrency. Fraudulent mobile lending in Tanzania, an online car import scheme in Gabon, and a cybercrime network in the Republic of the Congo, where 30 people were detained, were also disrupted.
Statements from Interpol
Interpol's Cybercrime Director Neal Jetton stated that cybercrime networks operate without regard to borders, using technology to attack victims on an unprecedented scale. According to him, Operation Serengeti III confirms that, although cybercrime is becoming increasingly transnational, international cooperation remains one of the most effective tools against networks, for asset recovery, and for protecting communities from digital harm. Interpol noted that intelligence sharing and cooperation with technology companies helped identify suspicious online infrastructure and track criminal activity across borders. The organization also warned that artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by cybercriminals, enabling fraudsters to create more sophisticated schemes and reach more victims. A number of investigations are ongoing: authorities are searching for additional suspects and examining digital evidence obtained during the operation.
