Law enforcement agencies in seven African countries have successfully arrested 306 suspects and seized 1,842 devices in a significant international operation targeting cybercrime. This operation, known as Operation Red Card, took place from November 2024 to February 2025 and aimed to dismantle cross-border criminal networks involved in various cyber-enabled scams.
Key Takeaways
306 arrests made across seven African nations.
1,842 devices seized, including computers and SIM cards.
Nigeria recorded the highest number of arrests with 130 suspects.
The operation targeted scams affecting over 5,000 victims.
Overview of Operation Red Card
Operation Red Card was a coordinated effort involving law enforcement from Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia. The operation focused on disrupting cyber-enabled financial crimes, including mobile banking scams, investment fraud, and messaging app schemes.
Nigeria Leads in Arrests
Nigeria emerged as the leader in arrests, with 130 individuals taken into custody, including 113 foreign nationals. These suspects were allegedly involved in large-scale online fraud operations, such as investment scams and online casinos. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that many of these individuals were coerced into participating in these scams, with some being victims of human trafficking.
Authorities in Nigeria seized:
26 vehicles
16 houses
39 plots of land
685 electronic devices
Other Countries Involved
Rwanda: Authorities arrested 45 members of a criminal network involved in social engineering scams, defrauding victims of over $305,000 in 2024. They recovered $103,043 and seized 292 devices.
South Africa: Law enforcement apprehended 40 suspects linked to a SIM box fraud scheme, seizing over 1,000 SIM cards and 53 computers used for large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
Zambia: Police arrested 14 suspects involved in hacking and malware attacks, which allowed them to take control of victims' devices and banking apps.
The Impact of International Cooperation
The success of Operation Red Card highlights the importance of international collaboration in combating cybercrime. INTERPOL's Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, emphasized that the operation sends a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished. The operation was funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, which allocated £2.6 million to enhance law enforcement capabilities in Africa.
Operation Red Card represents a significant step forward in the fight against cybercrime in Africa. By dismantling these criminal networks and recovering substantial assets, authorities are working to protect individuals and businesses from the devastating effects of cyber-enabled fraud. The ongoing collaboration among African nations and international law enforcement agencies is crucial in addressing the evolving threats posed by cybercriminals.
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Sources
INTERPOL Arrests 306 Suspects, Seizes 1,842 Devices in Cross-Border Cybercrime Bust, The Hacker News.
Nigeria Leads Africa in Cybercrime Arrests as Interpol Busts 306 Suspects, Legit.ng.
Authorities Seize 1842 Devices in Africa’s Cybercrime Crackdown, Infosecurity Magazine.
African Authorities Bust Cybercrime Networks, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project | OCCRP.
Interpol operation red card: Nigeria lead wit highest number of arrested suspects across Africa, BBC.