The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has resulted in the arrest of 306 individuals suspected of cybercrime across seven African countries. Dubbed Operation Red Card, the initiative ran from November 2024 to February 2025 and targeted cross-border criminal networks responsible for scams involving mobile banking, investment platforms, and messaging apps.
According to INTERPOL, the operation uncovered schemes that affected over 5,000 victims, with authorities seizing 1,842 devices used in illegal activities. The crackdown highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled scams and the importance of international cooperation in combating them.
Nigeria recorded the highest number of arrests during the operation, with 130 suspects apprehended, including 113 foreign nationals. Investigations revealed that many of these individuals were involved in online casino and investment fraud schemes. Authorities also discovered that some suspects may have been victims of human trafficking, coerced into participating in criminal activities.
The Nigerian police seized significant assets linked to these operations, including 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 plots of land, and 685 electronic devices. Many suspects reportedly converted their illicit proceeds into digital assets to conceal their tracks.
South African authorities arrested 40 individuals connected to a SIM box fraud operation that rerouted international calls as local ones, a tactic often used to facilitate large-scale SMS phishing attacks. More than 1,000 SIM cards and 53 computers were seized during the raid.
Meanwhile, in Zambia, authorities apprehended 14 members of a criminal syndicate accused of hacking victims’ phones through malicious links sent via text messages. Once clicked, these links installed malware that allowed hackers to gain control of devices and access banking apps. The syndicate also used compromised messaging accounts to spread malicious links further.
Rwandan authorities arrested 45 individuals linked to social engineering scams that defrauded victims of over $305,000 in 2024 alone. These scams involved impersonating telecommunications employees or injured family members to extract sensitive information or financial assistance from victims. In total, $103,043 was recovered during the operation, alongside the seizure of 292 devices.
INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, praised the success of Operation Red Card as a testament to international cooperation in tackling cybercrime:
“The recovery of significant assets and devices, as well as the arrest of key suspects, sends a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished.”
The operation was facilitated through INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), an initiative funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Intelligence sharing among participating countries, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia, played a crucial role in identifying key targets and understanding criminal tactics.
