Interpol-Led operation nets 651 suspects, uncovers $45m cyber fraud network
Law enforcement agencies across Africa have arrested 651 suspects and uncovered a sprawling cybercrime network responsible for more than $45 million in losses, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has announced.
The arrests were made during a coordinated eight-week operation, codenamed Operation Red Card 2.0, which ran from December 8, 2025, to January 30, 2026. The operation targeted high-yield investment scams, mobile money fraud and fraudulent loan schemes across 16 African countries.
According to Interpol, investigators identified 1,247 victims most of them based in Africa and recovered more than $4.3 million during the crackdown. Authorities also seized 2,341 electronic devices and flagged 1,442 malicious IP addresses. Domains and servers linked to the criminal syndicates were dismantled.
Interpol said it supported participating countries with intelligence sharing, real-time information exchange and specialised training in digital forensic tools to strengthen investigative capacity.
Neal Jetton, director of Interpol’s cybercrime directorate, said organised cybercrime networks continue to inflict significant financial and psychological damage on victims.
“Operation Red Card underscores the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational cybercrime,” Jetton said, urging victims to report incidents to law enforcement authorities.
Nigeria dismantles investment fraud network
In Nigeria, police broke up a high-yield investment fraud syndicate accused of recruiting young individuals to carry out phishing attacks, identity theft, social engineering tactics and fake digital asset investment schemes.
Investigators shut down more than 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts linked to the group. Authorities also discovered that the alleged ringleader had constructed a residential building that served as an operational base for the illicit activities.
In a separate operation, Nigerian authorities arrested six suspects accused of infiltrating the internal platform of a major telecommunications company using compromised staff login credentials. The suspects allegedly siphoned large volumes of airtime and data for illegal resale before the operation was disrupted.
Arrests in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire
In Kenya, authorities arrested 27 suspects connected to investment scams that used messaging apps and social media platforms to lure victims with promises of high returns. The suspects allegedly posed as representatives of reputable global corporations and encouraged victims to invest as little as $50. Victims were shown falsified dashboards and account statements, while withdrawal requests were reportedly blocked.
Meanwhile, in Côte d’Ivoire, law enforcement officers arrested 58 suspects in a crackdown on mobile loan fraud. During the operation, authorities seized 240 mobile phones, 25 laptops and more than 300 SIM cards.
Investigators said the schemes targeted vulnerable individuals through deceptive mobile applications that promised quick, unsecured loans. Victims were later subjected to hidden charges, abusive debt collection practices and the harvesting of sensitive personal data.
The countries that participated in Operation Red Card 2.0 include Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
