Interpol coordinated a large-scale operation named Serengeti 2.0 between June and August with investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom. The operation identified approximately 88,000 victims of fraud and illegal cryptocurrency networks and found cybercrime now represents over 30% of reported crime in West and East Africa. Authorities arrested 1,209 suspected cybercriminals, recovered $97.4 million, and dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures. In Angola, officials dismantled 25 cryptocurrency mining centers and seized equipment worth about $37 million now earmarked to support power distribution in vulnerable areas. In the Ivory Coast and Zambia, authorities disrupted major inheritance and online investment scams that caused significant financial losses.
More than 1,200 people were arrested in a major cybercrime crackdown in Africa, the international police organization Interpol announced on Friday. Investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom identified some 88,000 victims of fraud and illegal cryptocurrency networks, Interpol said in a statement. Cybercrime now accounts for more than 30% of all reported crime in West and East Africa, according to the agency.
The operation, dubbed "Serengeti 2.0," took place between June and August. It led to the arrest of 1,209 suspected cybercriminals, recovered $97.4 million (83.2 million), and took down 11,432 malicious infrastructures. In one bust, authorities in Angola dismantled 25 cryptocurrency mining centers, where Chinese operators had been mining cryptocurrency. Angolan officials seized equipment worth an estimated $37 million, "now earmarked by the government to support power distribution in vulnerable areas," according to Interpol.
Collection
[
|
...
]