Crystabel Ukwuegbu
Authorities across seven African countries have conducted a large-scale crackdown on cyber-enabled fraud, leading to the arrest of 306 individuals and the seizure of 1,842 electronic devices.
The coordinated effort, known as Operation Red Card, ran from November 2024 to February 2025, targeting transnational fraud networks exploiting mobile banking systems, investment platforms, and messaging apps. More than 5,000 victims were identified as part of the investigation.
Key Arrests and Seizures
Nigeria
Nigeria saw the highest number of arrests, with law enforcement detaining 130 individuals, including 113 foreign nationals, on suspicion of involvement in online scams and fraudulent investment schemes. Authorities believe some of the suspects may have been trafficked and coerced into cybercrime. In addition to the arrests, security agencies confiscated 26 vehicles, 16 properties, and 685 electronic devices.
South Africa
A major SIM box fraud operation was dismantled, resulting in the arrest of 40 individuals. Officials also seized 1,000 SIM cards and 53 desktop computers allegedly used in large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
Zambia
Law enforcement apprehended 14 hackers accused of distributing malware-laden messages to compromise victims’ smartphones and gain unauthorized access to their banking applications.
Rwanda
In 2024, Rwandan authorities arrested 45 suspects linked to scams that defrauded victims of over $305,000. The perpetrators allegedly impersonated telecom operators or relatives to steal sensitive financial information. Law enforcement successfully recovered $103,043 and seized 292 electronic devices.
Global Collaboration in the Fight Against Cybercrime
INTERPOL’s Neal Jetton praised the operation as a significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, emphasizing that perpetrators “will not go unpunished.” A press release issued on March 24 highlighted the international collaboration behind the initiative, which was spearheaded by INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and backed by the UK Foreign Office.
The effort also received support from leading cybersecurity firms, including Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro. Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo were among the participating nations, with officials stressing that continued global cooperation is vital to counter the escalating threat of cyber fraud.
