Interpol-led police in 21 African countries arrested 1,462 people and shut down 10,909 criminal networks, a reminder to verify any request to send money.
Police in 21 African countries arrested 1,462 suspected cybercriminals and shut down 10,909 criminal networks in a three-month operation led by Interpol. Called Operation Serengeti III, it targeted fake emails that trick businesses into sending money, ransomware, and online scams. Officers also recovered more than $105 million.
The operation ran from June 29 to August 31. Interpol coordinated it, and security firms Team Cymru, Kaspersky, Group-IB and Fortinet helped. Investigators identified 65,929 victims and estimated their losses at more than $385 million.
Team Cymru supplied information on suspicious websites, internet addresses and the servers criminals use to control infected computers. That helped police map the networks and find suspects.
Interpol also said the work hit fake mobile lending apps, fraudulent vehicle imports and cryptocurrency investment scams.
Business email compromise is a simple trick. A criminal sends a message that looks like it comes from a boss, a supplier or a partner and asks for a payment. Staff who believe it send real money. This kind of fraud was one of the main targets here, and it is a top risk for businesses of any size.
The numbers are also growing. The first Serengeti operation, in late 2024, led to 1,006 arrests and about $44 million recovered. Serengeti 2.0, in 2025, led to 1,209 arrests and $97.4 million seized. This round beat both on arrests and recovered money.
Treat any request to send money or change bank details as unverified until you confirm it. Call the person using a phone number you already have, not one from the email. Be wary of investment or pension offers that arrive unasked, since those schemes were a major focus in Uganda.
Interpol's announcement does not say how many of those arrested will be charged, or how much of the stolen money will go back to victims. Arrests also do not end these scams, and the repeat operations suggest the problem is far from solved.
Before paying any invoice or changing bank details, confirm the request by calling a number you already trust.
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