Operation Serengeti 2.0, led by Interpol, targeted transnational cybercrime networks across 18 African nations, focusing on illegal cryptocurrency mining, fraud, ransomware, and human trafficking links. In Angola, joint forces dismantled 25 unauthorized mining facilities run by 60 foreign nationals. Seized mining rigs, servers, and power infrastructure valued at over $37 million will now be repurposed to support local electrification initiatives in underserved regions.
The broader operation extended to Zambia, where authorities uncovered a fraudulent crypto investment scheme defrauding more than 65 000 victims of an estimated $300 million. Arrests of 15 operators in Lusaka disrupted a network that had coerced participants through deceptive high-yield promises. In Côte d’Ivoire, a Europe-based inheritance scam was broken up, yielding the seizure of vehicles, cash, and electronics linked to illicit gains. Intelligence sharing, specialized training sessions in open-source investigation tools, and collaboration with private cybersecurity firms underpinned the success of these coordinated efforts.
Interpol Secretary General urged continued cooperation to address evolving threats in the digital asset space. “Cybercriminal groups exploit the anonymity of blockchain transactions to launder proceeds from a variety of crimes,” the statement noted. “Only through shared expertise and proactive enforcement can member states safeguard their financial systems and protect vulnerable populations.” The operation demonstrates the growing reliance on international law enforcement networks to combat sophisticated cyber threats that transcend borders and sectors.
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