Between June and August 2025, African law enforcement, with support from INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, executed one of the largest cybercrime crackdowns to date. Dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, the effort disrupted ransomware, BEC scams, and crypto fraud schemes targeting tens of thousands across the continent.
“With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact. This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims.” –- Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General.
The Key Numbers
- 1,209 arrests linked to cybercrime.
- 88,000 victims identified.
- $97.4 million recovered from criminal networks.
- 11,432 malicious infrastructures dismantled.
- 25 illegal crypto mining centers shut down in Angola.
- $300 million crypto investment scam disrupted in Zambia.
- 45 illicit power stations valued at $37 million seized in Angola.
This operation highlights how cybercrime has evolved in Africa, with criminals exploiting global networks while targeting local victims. For startups, businesses, and even governments, the results emphasize the growing risks of ransomware and BEC for enterprises, the role of crypto scams in defrauding African users and the need for cross-border cooperation since attacks often span multiple countries.
Cybercrime Atlas role
Operation Serengeti 2.0 drew on intelligence from the Cybercrime Atlas, a World Economic Forum-backed initiative that unites companies like Binance, Microsoft, and Fortinet with law enforcement. Its reliance on OSINT (open-source intelligence) helped authorities trace illicit mining operations in Angola and crypto scams in Zambia.
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