A sweeping international law enforcement effort has led to the arrest of over 1,200 suspected cybercriminals. The coordinated action spanned 18 nations across Africa, as well as the United Kingdom.
Dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, this initiative successfully dismantled criminal networks implicated in the financial victimization of approximately 88,000 individuals. Authorities also recovered around $97.4 million in illicit funds.
Angolan authorities spearheaded some of the most impactful seizures. They closed down 25 cryptocurrency mining operations and brought accusations against 60 individuals of Chinese nationality for alleged unauthorized validation of blockchain transactions.
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Alongside the arrests, authorities confiscated 45 illicit power plants and mining equipment valued at more than $37 million. Officials stated the intention to repurpose this equipment to bolster electricity supply in underserved communities.
The investigation also uncovered a fraudulent “online investment scheme.” This scheme lured victims with appealing advertisements to invest in digital currencies, ultimately ensnaring 65,000 individuals and causing losses nearing $300 million.
To date, fifteen individuals are in custody, and crucial evidence, encompassing domain names, phone numbers, and bank accounts, has been secured by authorities.
The scope of the operation extended beyond mere financial crimes. In Angola, law enforcement officials disrupted a suspected human trafficking operation, confiscating 372 counterfeit passports representing seven different nationalities.
Planning for Operation Serengeti 2.0 was a deliberate and extensive process. Law enforcement personnel received specialized training in blockchain analysis and the techniques for tracking ransomware activities. Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza noted:
Each Interpol-coordinated operation builds on the last, deepening cooperation, increasing information
sharing and developing investigative skills across member countries.
In related news, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has taken down over 14,000 deceptive websites in the last two years. Learn more by reading the full story here.