An operation carried out jointly by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL has resulted in the apprehension of 1,006 individuals and the disassembly of 134,089 harmful infrastructures spanning 19 African nations.
Termed as Operation Serengeti, the initiative specifically aimed at cyber offenders engaged in ransomware, BEC (business email compromise), digital blackmail, and online fraud – key perils highlighted in the 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.
Executed from September 2 to October 31, the operation brought to light more than 35,000 victims and financial losses exceeding nearly USD 193 million worldwide.
The invaluable intelligence gathered from cooperating countries paved the way for the creation of 65 Cyber Analytical Reports, enabling law enforcement agencies to concentrate on high-priority targets.
Operation Serengeti
The pivotal role played by private sector partners, including Internet Service Providers and cybersecurity companies like Fortinet, Group-IB, and Kaspersky, was instrumental. They contributed insights, on-site aid, and round-the-clock remote support to fortify critical infrastructure and address vulnerabilities in member states.
“From elaborate MLM schemes to large-scale credit card fraud, the rising quantity and complexity of cyber assaults raise significant concerns. Operation Serengeti exemplifies the results achievable through collaboration.
These detentions alone will prevent numerous prospective victims from undergoing genuine personal and financial distress.” Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL’s Secretary General, highlighted the operation’s importance.
“Through Serengeti, AFRIPOL has substantially bolstered its backing for law enforcement within African Union Member States. We’ve facilitated critical apprehensions and broadened our insights into cybercrime trends.
Our current focus encompasses emerging perils like AI-driven malware and sophisticated attack strategies.” Ambassador Jalel Chelba, AFRIPOL’s Executive Director, underscored the operation’s impact.
National Case Studies
The operation revealed an array of intricate schemes across the continent:
- Kenya: Authorities brought to light an online credit card fraud scenario entailing USD 8.6 million in misappropriated funds. The perpetrators employed deceptive scripts to evade banking security measures and rerouted the money via SWIFT to enterprises in the UAE, Nigeria, and China before channeling it to digital asset platforms. Nearly twenty-four suspects were detained.
- Senegal: Eight individuals, including five Chinese nationals, got apprehended for orchestrating a USD 6 million Ponzi scheme that deceived 1,811 victims. During a raid, investigators confiscated over 900 SIM cards, USD 11,000 in cash, phones, laptops, and victims’ ID cards.
- Nigeria: Authorities nabbed an individual accused of operating scams in cryptocurrency investments that duped victims of over USD 300,000 through deceitful assurances of high profits.
- Cameroon: A group was held for trafficking individuals from seven nations into a pyramid scheme. Victims were enticed with job promises but were instead restrained and coerced into recruiting others for emancipation. The operation purportedly yielded a minimum of USD 150,000 in fees.
- Angola: Investigators dismantled an international criminal syndicate running a virtual betting platform targeting Brazilian and Nigerian players. By presenting inducements for enlisting new members, the group defrauded hundreds via its portal. Law enforcement made 150 arrests and impounded 200 computers alongside over 100 mobile devices.
Financing for Operation Serengeti was extended by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Council of Europe. The participating nations included Algeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, among others.
The operation highlights the escalating menace of cyber crimes throughout Africa and underscores the significance of international partnerships in countering these obstacles.
While notable progress was attained during Operation Serengeti, officials recognized that this merely represents a fraction of the global cybercrime panorama.
“This is merely the tip of the iceberg,” remarked Urquiza. “Our pursuit of these criminal factions worldwide will persist.”
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