A joint operation between global cybersecurity company Kaspersky and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has led to the arrest of 1,209 suspected cybercriminals and the recovery of $97.4 million from fraudulent activities across Africa.
Codenamed Operation Serengeti 2.0, the three-month crackdown (June–August 2025) targeted high-impact cybercrimes such as ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and online scams. The initiative brought together investigators from 18 African countries alongside the United Kingdom, dismantling 11,432 malicious infrastructures that had victimized nearly 88,000 individuals.
Kaspersky played a critical role by supplying threat intelligence data and indicators of compromise (IoCs). In one notable case, its Threat Research team supported INTERPOL in probing a cryptocurrency investment fraud. This collaboration led Zambian authorities to arrest 15 suspects linked to a scam that duped 65,000 victims out of roughly $300 million. Investigations continue as authorities pursue international collaborators.
“This operation underscores the strength of cross-border cooperation,” said INTERPOL’s Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza. “Each coordinated effort enhances intelligence sharing and strengthens our collective defense against cybercrime.”
Yuliya Shlychkova, Kaspersky’s Vice-President of Government Affairs & Public Policy, emphasized that Africa’s fast-paced digital transformation brings both opportunities and risks. “Public-private partnerships like this are vital to ensuring a secure digital ecosystem for all,” she noted.
Operation Serengeti 2.0 follows the success of its first edition in 2024, which saw over 1,000 arrests and nearly $193 million recovered. Kaspersky has also worked with INTERPOL on other operations, including Africa Cyber Surge, Africa Cyber Surge II, and Red Card.
