International Police in partnership with the African Police Operatives, November 26, arrested 1006 suspected syndicates of cybercrimes and internet fraud across Africa.
The security agencies launched an Operation Serengeti between September 2 and October 31 to clamp down on criminal and fraudulent activities perpetrated on the African continent against unsuspecting victims within and outside of the continent.
The Lyon, France section of the Interpol, through its spokesperson, said that the Operation Serengeti was launched following intelligence information reports it had gathered prior its operation, a report by Eagle Online said.
The various arrests were made across 19 African countries, targeting criminals behind ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion and online scams which are imminent to the cyber security of Africa.
Speaking on the operation, Secretary General of Interpol, Valdecy Urquiza, noted that: “From multi-level marketing scams to credit card fraud on an industrial scale, the increasing volume and sophistication of cybercrime attacks is of serious concern.
“Operation Serengeti shows what we can achieve by working together, and these arrests alone will save real personal and financial pain. We know that this is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will continue targeting these criminal groups worldwide “.
The arrests which cut across 19 African countries viz: Kenya, Benin, Angola, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Algeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Ghana, Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana, had various countries’ Nationals indulging in internet scamming, ponzi scheme among other internet fraud.
Interpol stated that more than 35,000 persons have fallen victims of the internet scammers with cases linked to about USD193 Million financial losses across the world.
Countries that participated in the investigation provided the Interpol with 65 Cyber Analytical reports, with painstaking intelligence sharing, remote and onsite supports to the Interpol.
In this effect, the Executive Director of Afripol, Ambassador Jalel Chelba noted that the agency will be focusing on the threats the emerging technology, Artificial intelligence malware poses on the tech space.
“Through Serengeti, AFRIPOL has significantly enhanced support for law enforcement in African Union Member States. We’ve facilitated key arrests and deepened insights into cybercrime trends. Our focus now includes emerging threats like Ai-driven malware and advanced attack techniques”, Chelba said.
The various arrests made across the 19 countries include: about two dozens arrests were made in Kenya involved in online credit card fraud, altering of banking system’s security protocol distributed via SWIFT to UAE, China and Nigeria.
The Operatives in Senegal arrested five Chinese Nationals, and three others for an online ponzi scheme amounting to USD 6 million which directly affected 1,811 victims.
According to reports by the Operatives, 900 sim cards, USD11,000 cash, mobile phones, laptops and copies of victims’ ID cards were recovered during a raid in the apartment of the suspects.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian authorities arrested an unnamed man, who ran an online investment scam.
The Nigerian was believed to have made USD300,000 through messaging platforms with false crypto currency returns.
Meanwhile, authorities in Cameroon arrested a group that runs a multi-level marketing scams, who have allegedly trafficked unknowing victims from seven African countries to pay a certain “membership fee”.
The Interpol noted that victims are often lured to Cameroon, and promised sham job opportunities but are subjected to hardship and obligated to recruit more persons to regain freedom from their captives. The Cameroon group was reported to have made at least USD 150,000 from the scheme.
The Angolan investigators on the other note, arrested an international criminal group that runs a virtual casino in Luanda.
The group has been allegedly involved in scheming gamblers from Brazil, Nigeria through a sham offer of a certain percentage of winnings to the gamblers.
About 150 persons were arrested, with 200 computers, and 100 mobile phones seized. [Eagle Online]
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
