Interpol Operation Red Card: A Global Crackdown on African Cybercrime Rings
In a major operation, Interpol and a coalition of seven African law enforcement agencies have arrested over 300 suspects linked to cybercrime rings in Africa. The operation, codenamed "Red Card," was active between November 2024 and February 2025, with the goal of disrupting and dismantling cross-border criminal networks that cause significant harm to individuals and businesses.
The operation resulted in the seizure of almost 2,000 electronic devices, with more than 5,000 people falling victim to various forms of cybercrime. The total amount stolen through social engineering scams alone reached $305,000 in Rwanda, with over $100,000 recovered. While the recovery of assets is a significant step forward, Interpol emphasized that the impact of cybercrime knows no borders and can have devastating effects on individuals and communities.
The operation involved law enforcement agencies from Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia. The scope of the operation was vast, with suspects linked to various forms of cybercrime, including mobile banking scams, investment fraud, online casino scams, SIM box fraud, smishing, malware-based phone hacking, impersonation, and more.
Interpol received intelligence from three cybersecurity outfits: Group-IB, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky. The latter firm analyzed a sample of Android malware allegedly used to target African users and shared it with law enforcement, together with data on related infrastructure. This collaboration highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime.
Interestingly, Nigerian authorities noted that some of the people working in the scam centers may also be victims of human trafficking, forced or coerced into criminal activities. The findings led to the police seizing 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 plots of land, and 685 devices. It is not known if the assets were purchased with stolen money.
"The success of Operation Red Card demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime," said Ed Neal Jetton, INTERPOL's Director of the Cybercrime Directorate. "The recovery of significant assets and devices, as well as the arrest of key suspects, sends a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished."
This operation is a prime example of how law enforcement agencies can work together to combat the growing threat of cybercrime. As technology continues to advance and more people become connected online, it's essential for international cooperation to remain at the forefront in addressing this complex issue.