Online Scams: Interpol Takes Down Criminal Networks in Seven African Countries👮🏾

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A coordinated operation led by Interpol has resulted in the arrest of 306 individuals. Additionally, 1,842 devices were seized across seven African countries. This initiative, dubbed Operation Red Card, aimed to dismantle criminal networks involved in digital fraud through banking, investment, and messaging applications.

A Transnational Fight Against Cybercrime 🔍

Conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, the operation targeted cross-border criminal groups responsible for significant financial harm. The detected fraud schemes affected more than 5,000 victims and covered various illicit practices. The attacks included investment scams, online casino fraud, and SMS phishing.

In Nigeria, police arrested 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, involved in online scams. These individuals, recruited from multiple countries, operated in different languages. Moreover, authorities discovered that some of them may have been victims of human trafficking, forced to participate in these criminal activities. Law enforcement also seized 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 land plots, and 685 electronic devices.

Seizures Across Multiple Countries 🚔

In South Africa, 40 suspects were arrested in a SIM card fraud case. More than 1,000 SIM cards and 53 computers were confiscated. These devices were used in a sophisticated SIM Box fraud scheme, a technique that reroutes international calls to make them appear as local communications.

In Zambia, Interpol reported the arrest of 14 suspected members of a criminal group specializing in phone hacking. Their method involved sending messages containing a malicious link. Once clicked, the link installed spyware, allowing hackers to take control of the victim’s phone. The scam also targeted banking and messaging apps. The criminals then used the compromised accounts to spread the fraudulent link to more contacts.

In Rwanda, 45 people were arrested for scams based on social engineering. These fraudsters posed as telecommunications employees. Others announced fake lottery winnings to obtain sensitive information and gain access to victims’ bank accounts. Another method involved impersonating a hospitalized relative to request financial assistance. In total, victims’ losses in 2024 amounted to over $305,000, of which $103,043 was recovered.

Strengthened International Cooperation 🤝

According to Neal Jetton, director of Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate:

« The success of this operation demonstrates the strength of international cooperation and its key role in the fight against cybercrime, a borderless threat with devastating consequences for individuals and communities. »

This operation was carried out through intelligence-sharing among participating countries and Interpol’s analysis of criminal data. The initiative was further supported by private sector partners, including Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro.

The countries involved in the operation include Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia. The initiative falls under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) program, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

By targeting these criminal networks, authorities send a clear message: fraudulent activities will not go unpunished.

💬 Your Turn! 
Have you ever been a victim of or witnessed an online scam? Share your experience in the comments! 😊