More than 650 suspected cyber criminals have been arrested across 16 African countries in a sweeping international crackdown on online fraud.
The operation, led by INTERPOL and known as Operation Red Card 2.0, was carried out between December 2025 and the end of January 2026. It targeted organised crime networks behind online investment scams, mobile money fraud and fake loan applications that have affected thousands of victims in Africa and beyond.
Authorities say the schemes are linked to more than 45 million US dollars in global financial losses.
During the eight-week operation, investigators identified at least 1,247 victims and recovered over 4.3 million dollars. More than 2,300 electronic devices were seized, while over 1,400 malicious websites, servers and internet addresses used to facilitate the scams were taken offline.
Several arrests were connected to high-yield investment scams promoted through social media platforms and messaging apps. Fraudsters allegedly used fabricated testimonials and fake account dashboards to convince victims their investments were generating profits, before blocking attempts to withdraw funds.
In Côte d’Ivoire, police dismantled a mobile loan fraud network that targeted vulnerable users through deceptive apps offering quick loans. Victims were reportedly charged hidden fees, harassed and had their personal and financial data illegally collected.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, authorities arrested suspects accused of breaching a major telecommunications company’s internal systems using stolen staff login credentials. The group allegedly siphoned off airtime and data bundles, which were later resold for profit.
INTERPOL says the operation underscores the growing scale of organised cyber crime and the need for stronger cross-border cooperation. Investigations remain ongoing in several of the countries involved.
