African Cybercrime Rings Decimated: INTERPOL’s Operation Red Card 2.0 Nabs 651, Recovers Millions

In a monumental stride against the burgeoning threat of online fraud, INTERPOL’s Operation Red Card 2.0 has delivered a decisive blow to cybercriminal networks across Africa. This international crackdown, spearheaded by law enforcement agencies from 16 African nations, resulted in a staggering 651 arrests and the recovery of over $4.3 million, signaling a significant victory in the fight for digital security.

INTERPOL’s Red Card 2.0: A Coordinated Strike Against Cybercrime

Between December 8, 2025, and January 30, 2026, Operation Red Card 2.0 mobilized a formidable alliance of countries including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Conducted under the umbrella of the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), this initiative meticulously targeted the digital infrastructure and key perpetrators behind high-yield investment scams, pervasive mobile money fraud, and predatory fraudulent mobile loan applications.

Unmasking the Scale of Deception: Millions Lost, Thousands Victimized

The eight-week operation peeled back the layers of sophisticated deception, revealing scams linked to an estimated $45 million in financial losses. INTERPOL’s press release highlighted that 1,247 victims were identified, primarily from the African continent, but also extending to other global regions. Beyond the arrests and financial recoveries, authorities confiscated 2,341 devices and successfully dismantled 1,442 malicious IPs, domains, servers, and other critical infrastructure, severely disrupting the operational capabilities of these criminal syndicates.

Spotlight on Key Takedowns: A Multi-National Success Story

Nigeria: Dismantling Investment Fraud and Telecom Breaches

Nigerian authorities achieved significant breakthroughs, dismantling a high-yield investment fraud ring that exploited young individuals. This syndicate employed a range of cyber-enabled crimes, including phishing, identity theft, social engineering, and fake digital asset investment schemes, leading to the takedown of over 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts. In a separate, equally critical action, six members of a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate were arrested for breaching the internal platform of a major telecommunications provider. This breach, achieved through compromised staff login credentials, allowed for the theft of substantial volumes of airtime and data for illegal resale.

Kenya: Exposing Bogus Investment Schemes

Kenyan law enforcement apprehended 27 individuals involved in a deceptive fraud scheme. This operation leveraged messaging apps, social media, and fabricated testimonials to lure victims into making fake investments, promising exorbitant returns. To maintain the illusion, victims were presented with bogus account statements or dashboards, only to find themselves blocked from making any withdrawals once their funds were secured.

Côte d’Ivoire: Combating Predatory Mobile Loan Scams

In Côte d’Ivoire, authorities arrested 58 individuals and seized 240 mobile phones, 25 laptops, and over 300 SIM cards. This action disrupted a predatory mobile loan fraud scheme that specifically targeted vulnerable populations. The criminals used fake mobile applications and messaging services to entice victims with promises of unsecured loans, subsequently trapping them with excessive fees, abusive debt-collection practices, and the theft of sensitive personal and financial data.

The Imperative of Collaboration: A Message from INTERPOL

Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, underscored the profound impact of these criminal enterprises. “These organized cybercriminal syndicates inflict devastating financial and psychological harm on individuals, businesses, and entire communities with their false promises,” Jetton stated. He emphasized the critical role of international cooperation, adding, “Operation Red Card highlights the importance of collaboration when combating transnational cybercrime. I encourage all victims of cybercrime to reach out to law enforcement for help.”

Building on Past Success: The Legacy of Operation Red Card

Operation Red Card 2.0 builds upon the successes of its first phase, which, between November 2024 and February 2025, saw the arrest of 306 suspects and the seizure of 1,842 devices. This ongoing commitment by INTERPOL and its partners demonstrates a sustained effort to dismantle cybercrime networks and protect digital citizens across the globe.

The success of this operation serves as a powerful reminder of the global nature of cybercrime and the indispensable value of coordinated international law enforcement efforts in safeguarding our digital future.

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