Image credit: @INTERPOL_HQ / X
Authorities across seven African nations have executed a major crackdown on cybercrime, arresting 306 suspects and seizing 1,842 devices in Operation Red Card.
Running from November 2024 to February 2025, the operation targeted cyber-enabled scams, including mobile banking fraud, investment scams, and phishing schemes that affected over 5,000 victims.
Nigeria: Major Bust on Scam Syndicates
Nigerian police, awarded as the best cybercrime unit in Africa, made the largest number of arrests—130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals—linked to cyber-enabled scams like online casino fraud and investment schemes.
These criminals laundered funds via digital assets to cover their tracks.
Investigations revealed that some cybercriminals were victims of human trafficking, and coerced into criminal activities.
The operation also led to the seizure of 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 plots of land, and 685 devices.
South Africa: SIM Box Fraud Exposed
Authorities in South Africa arrested 40 individuals and confiscated over 1,000 SIM cards, 53 desktops, and towers involved in a sophisticated SIM box fraud operation.
These tools rerouted international calls as local ones, commonly used in large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
Related: INTERPOL and AFRIPOL’s Operation Serengeti Yields Major Arrests and Recoveries
Zambia: Malware-Driven Phone Hijacking Scheme
Zambian officers took down a criminal syndicate of 14 suspects who hacked victims’ phones by sending malicious links.
Once clicked, the malware installed allowed hackers to hijack devices, access banking apps, and further spread the scam through messaging apps.
Rwanda: Social Engineering Fraudsters Caught
Rwandan authorities arrested 45 cybercriminals responsible for social engineering scams that defrauded victims of over $305,000 in 2024 alone.
Scammers impersonated telecom employees and faked lottery wins to steal personal information.
Another tactic involved posing as injured family members in need of emergency financial help. Authorities recovered $103,043 and seized 292 devices.
International Cybercrime Collaboration
Interpol’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, hailed Operation Red Card as proof that international cooperation can effectively combat cybercrime.
Intelligence-sharing between the seven participating countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia played a key role.
The operation was supported by INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
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