By 
Authorities seize 1,842 devices, recover millions in multi-country cybercrime bust.
An international crackdown on cybercrime across seven African nations has led to the arrest of 306 suspects and the seizure of 1,842 devices in a major operation targeting cyber-enabled scams and financial fraud.
RELATED: Interpol’s global crackdown targets notorious Nigerian cybercrime network, Black Axe, in multi-nation operation
Operation Red Card, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, aimed to disrupt and dismantle cross-border criminal networks involved in fraudulent mobile banking, investment scams, and malicious messaging apps. The investigation uncovered more than 5,000 victims, highlighting the widespread impact of these cyber threats on individuals and businesses.
Nigeria: 130 Arrests, Seizure of Properties and Digital Assets
In Nigeria, authorities arrested 130 individuals, including 113 foreign nationals, linked to online casino fraud, investment scams, and other cyber-enabled crimes. The suspects allegedly converted their illegal proceeds into digital assets to evade detection. Investigators also uncovered evidence suggesting that some of those working in scam centers may have been victims of human trafficking, coerced into criminal activities.
Nigerian law enforcement also seized:
- 26 vehicles
- 16 houses
- 39 plots of land
- 685 digital devices
South Africa: SIM Box Fraud Scheme Dismantled
In South Africa, authorities apprehended 40 individuals and dismantled a SIM box fraud network, seizing:
- More than 1,000 SIM cards
- 53 desktops and computer towers
This scheme allowed criminals to reroute international calls as local ones, a tactic commonly used for large-scale SMS phishing attacks to defraud victims.
Zambia: Hackers Exploit Messaging Apps for Financial Theft
Zambian authorities arrested 14 members of a cybercrime syndicate that hacked victims’ phones by distributing malicious links through text messages. Once clicked, the link installed malware, allowing hackers to:
- Gain control of the victim’s device
- Access banking apps and steal fund
- Use compromised messaging apps to spread the scam further
Rwanda: Social Engineering Scams Uncovered
Rwandan law enforcement arrested 45 cybercriminals involved in elaborate social engineering scams, which defrauded victims of over $305,000 in 2024 alone. Their fraudulent tactics included:
- Impersonating telecom employees to extract sensitive banking information
- Sending fake jackpot notifications to lure victims into revealing personal details
- Posing as injured family members to solicit emergency financial assistance
Authorities recovered $103,043 in stolen funds and seized 292 digital devices.
INTERPOL: A Strong Message to Cybercriminals
INTERPOL’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, emphasized the significance of the operation:
“The success of Operation Red Card demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, which knows no borders and can have devastating effects on individuals and communities. 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.”
Global Collaboration in Cybercrime Prevention
Operation Red Card was executed under the African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime (AFJOC), an INTERPOL initiative funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Ahead of the operation, participating countries shared criminal intelligence, enriched by insights from cybersecurity firms Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro.
- The seven participating countries included:
Benin - Côte d’Ivoire
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- South Africa
- Togo
- Zambia
This large-scale cybercrime crackdown underscores the growing threat of digital fraud across Africa and the critical role of international cooperation in securing cyberspace.
