African law enforcement agencies arrested 651 suspects and recovered over $4.3 million in a coordinated INTERPOL operation targeting investment fraud, mobile money scams, and fake loan applications.
INTERPOL
Operation Red Card 2.0, spanning December 8 to January 30, identified 1,247 victims and disrupted cybercrime networks linked to over $45 million in losses across 16 countries.
Authorities seized 2,341 devices and dismantled 1,442 malicious websites, domains, and servers under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC).
In Nigeria, police busted an investment fraud ring recruiting youths for phishing, identity theft, and fake schemes, shutting down over 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts. They also nabbed six gang members using stolen credentials to breach a major telecom provider.
Kenyan investigators arrested 27 suspects running social media and messaging scams luring victims into bogus investments.
In Côte d’Ivoire, 58 suspects faced charges over predatory mobile loan apps with hidden fees and abusive collections.
“These organized cybercriminal syndicates inflict devastating financial and psychological harm on individuals, businesses and entire communities with their false promises,” said Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate head. “Operation Red Card highlights the importance of collaboration when combatting transnational cybercrime.”
The operation follows last year’s first phase, which netted 306 arrests, building on INTERPOL efforts like Operation Serengeti and Africa Cyber Surge targeting Africa’s cyber threats.
