Joy Agwunobi
Global cybersecurity company Kaspersky has partnered with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in a major crackdown on cybercrime across Africa, leading to the arrest of 1,209 suspected cybercriminals and the recovery of $97.4 million.
The joint operation, codenamed Serengeti 2.0, ran from June to August 2025 and mobilised investigators from 18 African countries and the United Kingdom. The effort targeted high-impact cybercrimes including ransomware attacks, online scams, and business email compromise (BEC). In the process, authorities dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures that had collectively targeted nearly 88,000 victims.
In one case specifically investigated at INTERPOL’s request, Kaspersky Threat Research team helped uncover a massive cryptocurrency investment scam. Zambian authorities subsequently arrested 15 suspects linked to the scheme, which is believed to have defrauded 65,000 victims of an estimated $300 million. Officials confirmed that investigations remain ongoing to track down international collaborators.
The operation also exposed the persistence of traditional internet frauds. INTERPOL revealed that inheritance scams, despite being among the oldest cyber fraud tactics, continue to generate significant illicit funds for criminal organisations. In Côte d’Ivoire, police dismantled a transnational inheritance scam traced to Germany, arresting the primary suspect and seizing electronics, jewellery, cash, vehicles, and documents. Losses from the scheme were estimated at $1.6 million.
Valdecy Urquiza, secretary general of INTERPOL, emphasised the significance of sustained international collaboration in tackling cybercrime.
“Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information sharing, and developing investigative skills across member countries. 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,” Urquiza said.
Highlighting the role of private-sector collaboration, Yuliya Shlychkova, vice-president of government affairs and public policy at Kaspersky, said Africa’s rapid digitalisation offers both opportunities and risks.
“Whilst digitalisation provides new development opportunities, it also introduces emerging risks. It is extremely important to drive effective public-private partnerships that enhance cooperation and create new frameworks to build a healthier cyberspace,” she noted.
“The successful example of INTERPOL-coordinated operations shows how effective dialogue and data exchange can be between private players and law enforcement. By scaling such initiatives, we can ensure the digital world becomes a space for opportunity, not for threats,” Shlychkova added.
Operation Serengeti 2.0 marks the second edition of the initiative. The first, conducted in late 2024, led to the arrest of over 1,000 suspected cybercriminals and the recovery of about $193 million. Kaspersky has also supported other INTERPOL-led campaigns, including Africa Cyber Surge I & II and Operation Red Card.
With Africa’s digital economy expanding rapidly, authorities say the latest crackdown underscores the urgency of coordinated action and the necessity of global partnerships to strengthen cyber resilience.
