By Ebi Kesiena
An extensive cross-border operation led by Interpol has resulted in the arrest of 651 suspects and the recovery of more than $4.3 million in a sweeping crackdown on cybercrime across Africa.
The sting operation, code-named “Red Card 2.0,” was conducted between December 8, 2025, and January 30, 2026, targeting transnational criminal syndicates involved in online scams and cross-border financial fraud.
According to a statement issued by the global policing body, the coordinated enforcement action spanned 16 African countries and significantly disrupted multiple organised crime networks.
Over the course of eight weeks, investigators uncovered fraud schemes responsible for an estimated $45 million in losses and identified 1,247 victims, most of them based in Africa. Authorities also seized 2,341 electronic devices and neutralised 1,442 malicious IP addresses, domains and servers used to perpetrate crimes.
The operation focused primarily on high-yield investment scams, mobile money fraud and fraudulent loan schemes, which have increasingly targeted individuals and small businesses across the continent.
Neal Jetton, Director of Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate, said the syndicates behind the scams caused severe financial and psychological damage to victims, businesses and communities. He urged affected individuals to promptly report incidents to law enforcement agencies to support ongoing investigations.
Nigeria recorded major breakthroughs during the operation, with authorities dismantling a criminal network that recruited young people to execute phishing attacks, identity theft and fake investment schemes. More than 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts linked to the syndicate were shut down.
In a separate case, Nigerian law enforcement arrested six suspects accused of breaching the internal systems of a major telecommunications company to illegally resell airtime and data for profit.
In Côte d’Ivoire, security operatives apprehended 58 suspects in connection with mobile loan scams targeting vulnerable individuals. Authorities seized 240 mobile phones, 25 laptops and over 300 SIM cards during the raids. Meanwhile, in Kenya, 27 individuals were arrested for conducting fraudulent activities through messaging applications and social media platforms.
The crackdown was executed under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) framework, with support from the European Union and the Council of Europe’s GLACY-e project, alongside private-sector cybersecurity partners.
Participating countries in the operation included Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
