Authorities in seven African nations have arrested 306 suspects and seized 1,842 devices in a large-scale international operation against cyber-enabled fraud.
The crackdown, codenamed Operation Red Card, targeted cross-border fraud networks exploiting mobile banking, investment platforms, and messaging apps. Conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, the operation has so far identified over 5,000 victims.
Key Arrests and Seizures
Nigeria
- The largest number of arrests occurred in Nigeria, where police detained 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, for online scams and investment fraud.
- Investigations suggest some of those arrested were trafficked and forced into cybercrime.
- Authorities confiscated 26 vehicles, 16 houses, and 685 devices linked to the fraud schemes.
South Africa
- Law enforcement dismantled a SIM box fraud operation, arresting 40 suspects.
- Authorities seized 1,000 SIM cards and 53 desktop computers used for large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
Zambia
- Police apprehended 14 hackers who spread malware-laced messages to hijack victims’ phones and banking apps.
Rwanda
- Authorities arrested 45 fraudsters involved in scams that stole over $305,000 from victims.
- Criminals posed as telecom representatives or fake family members to obtain financial data.
- Officials recovered $103,043 and seized 292 devices used in the fraudulent activities.
Global Cooperation in the Fight Against Cybercrime
In a press statement on Monday, March 24, INTERPOL’s Neal Jetton called the operation a major breakthrough in combating cybercrime, warning fraudsters that they “will not go unpunished.”
The operation was led by INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and backed by the UK Foreign Office. It also received support from leading cybersecurity firms, including Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro.
Other participating countries included Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. Officials have emphasized the need for ongoing international collaboration to address the rising threat of cyber fraud in Africa.
