Over 300 suspected cybercriminals arrested in Africa-wide operation

On March 24, 2025, Interpol announced that it had coordinated a large-scale international police operation across seven African countries, leading to the arrest of more than 300 suspected cybercriminals. Authorities in South Africa, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo, and Zambia apprehended the suspects between November 2024 and February 2025.

They are accused of being part of transnational criminal networks specializing in online fraud, with at least 5,000 reported victims. Searches conducted in the various countries led to the seizure of assets, including vehicles, houses, and land. The operation was supported by private cybersecurity firms such as Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro.

Law enforcement notably arrested 130 individuals in Nigeria, including 113 foreign nationals, for their involvement in several cases, including online casino and investment fraud schemes. According to Nigerian authorities, some of the suspects may be victims of human trafficking who were coerced into participating in these scams.