The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has efficiently performed a continent-wide cybercrime crackdown in Africa, focused in opposition to unlawful cryptocurrency mining operations, inheritance scams, and fraudulent investments. Coordinated below the code title Serengeti 2.0, the three-month operation ran from June to August 2025, resulting in greater than 1,200 arrests and the restoration of near $100 million in stolen funds and confiscated belongings.
Operation Serengeti 2.0
According to Interpol’s press launch on August 22, investigators from 18 African nations, working alongside the United Kingdom and supported by private-sector companions, dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures linked to nearly 88,000 victims of focused high-impact on-line crimes, together with ransomware, scams, and enterprise electronic mail compromise (BEC).
Notably, regulation enforcement authorities in Angola shut down 25 unlawful cryptocurrency mining websites operated by 60 Chinese nationals whereas additionally commandeering 45 unauthorized energy stations feeding these operations. In addition, officers additionally confiscated IT and mining equipment value over $37 million.
Meanwhile, in Zambia, officers uncovered a large crypto funding fraud with 65,000 victims and $300 million in whole losses. The operation led to fifteen arrests, alongside the seizure of domains, SIM playing cards, and financial institution accounts tied to the rip-off, which had promised traders sizable returns. Notably, one other sting in Lusaka disrupted a suspected human-trafficking community, the place 372 cast passports of seven nations have been confiscated.
Interpol additionally studies that the Ivorian police dismantled a cross-border inheritance rip-off believed to originate in Germany. Unsuspecting victims have been deceived to pay charges for pretend inheritance claims, producing round $1.6 million in illicit beneficial properties. The major suspect on this case has been detained whereas authorities seized money, jewellery, and autos, amongst different valuables.
Commenting on the profitable Serengeti 2.0 operation, Interpol’s Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, emphasised the significance of cooperation in amplifying outcomes:
Urquiza mentioned:
Each INTERPOL-coordinated operation builds on the final, deepening cooperation, growing info sharing, and growing investigative expertise throughout member nations. With extra contributions and shared experience, the outcomes continue to grow in scale and affect
Operation Serengeti 2.0 was performed below the African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime with different collaborating nations, together with Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and so forth. Meanwhile, non-public companions of this operation are TRM Labs, Trend Micro, and Team Cypru, amongst others.
Crypto Market Overview
At the time of writing, the worldwide cryptocurrency market capitalization stands at $3.95 trillion, reflecting a 3.87% improve over the previous 24 hours. Daily buying and selling quantity has climbed to $157.12 billion, signaling heightened exercise throughout main tokens. Market chief Bitcoin is presently priced at $115,811, whereas Ethereum trades at $4,700, each sustaining robust momentum amid broader market beneficial properties.
Featured picture from Interpol, chart from Tradingview
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