An eight-week, continent-wide police operation has dismantled major online scam networks across Africa, leading to the arrest of 651 suspects and the recovery of over $4.3 million. The crackdown, code-named Operation Red Card 2.0, was coordinated by INTERPOL and involved law enforcement agencies from 16 African nations between December 2025 and January 2026.
Authorities targeted sophisticated criminal rings behind a surge in online investment fraud, mobile money scams, and deceptive loan applications that have collectively cost victims more than $45 million globally.
How the Scams Operated
Investigators revealed the fraudsters' methods, which often involved using social media and messaging apps to lure victims with promises of high-yield investments.
Fake Investment Ploys: Criminals created convincing but fraudulent investment opportunities, using fabricated testimonials and fake online dashboards showing false profits. When victims attempted to withdraw their money, they were blocked.
Predatory Loan Apps: In Côte d'Ivoire, police shut down a mobile loan fraud network that used deceptive apps to target vulnerable individuals. These apps would impose hidden fees, harass users for payments, and illegally harvest personal and financial data.
Telecom Heist in Nigeria: A major breakthrough saw the arrest of a cybercrime group in Nigeria that had infiltrated a major telecom company's internal systems using stolen employee login details. The gang siphoned off large quantities of airtime and data bundles, which they then resold for profit.
The Scale of the Operation
The coordinated effort was significant in its reach and results. Beyond the arrests, authorities:
Identified at least 1,247 victims directly linked to the investigated schemes.
Seized over 2,300 electronic devices—including computers and phones—used to perpetrate the crimes.
Shut down more than 1,400 malicious websites, servers, and IP addresses involved in the fraudulent activities.
INTERPOL officials stated that the operation underscores the increasingly organized and cross-border nature of cybercrime in Africa. They emphasized that investigations are still ongoing in several of the participating countries, with more arrests and charges expected as part of the continued effort to disrupt these international fraud networks.
