Group-IB, a leading creator of predictive cybersecurity technologies to investigate, prevent, and fight digital crime, announced today that it supported INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III, a multinational law-enforcement initiative targeting cybercriminal networks operating across Africa. The operation resulted in the arrest of 1,462 suspects, the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks, and the recovery of more than USD 105 million in illicit funds.
Coordinated by INTERPOL between June 29 and August 31, 2026, the operation brought together law-enforcement agencies from 21 countries to combat cyber-enabled fraud, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), online scams, and digital extortion. Authorities identified 65,929 victims, while financial investigations linked criminal activity to losses exceeding USD 385 million.
Suspected scam call center in Uganda and illegal cryptocurrency mining facility in Angola.Image credit: INTERPOL.
Group-IB’s contribution to Operation Serengeti III
As a long-standing INTERPOL partner, Group-IB continues to support international efforts to identify, investigate, and disrupt cybercriminal networks through threat intelligence sharing, investigative expertise, and cooperation with law enforcement.
As part of the operation, Group-IB provided INTERPOL with threat intelligence data on malicious infrastructure, including phishing kits, botnets, and other malicious resources hosted in Africa or used to conduct cyberattacks targeting the region. The company also shared intelligence on threat actors involved in fraudulent activities, including identified social media accounts linked to suspected fraudsters.
The operation comes amid an evolving cyber threat landscape across Africa. According to INTERPOL’s African Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2026, artificial intelligence is increasingly enabling cybercriminal activity, while cyber-enabled financial losses continue to rise. The findings reinforce the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated action between law-enforcement agencies and private-sector cybersecurity partners.
Operational highlights: From investment fraud to cryptocurrency crime
Operation Serengeti III targeted a wide range of cybercriminal activities, with significant enforcement actions across several African countries.
In Uganda, authorities dismantled two transnational fraud rings and arrested 365 foreign nationals linked to sophisticated online investment and pension fraud schemes targeting victims across Asia. Investigators uncovered a rotating call-center model involving scripted communications, fraudulent trading platforms, and fake websites used to deceive victims into investing in nonexistent opportunities.
In Angola, law-enforcement agencies dismantled two illegal cryptocurrency mining centers, arresting nine suspects and seizing more than 2,000 cryptocurrency mining devices, alongside six illegal power transformation stations. The seized electrical infrastructure alone was valued at more than USD 1 million.
In Nigeria, authorities arrested a suspect linked to a large-scale phishing and business email compromise operation that had collected approximately 2.1 million email addresses and harvested software credentials. A separate investigation targeted an international investment fraud scheme promoted through messaging applications, uncovering the movement of more than USD 2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds, much of which was laundered through cryptocurrency transactions.
Elsewhere, authorities dismantled a malicious mobile loan application scheme in Tanzania, disrupted a social media-based vehicle import fraud network in Gabon, and arrested 30 suspects linked to a cybercrime operation in the Republic of Congo.
Several investigations remain ongoing as authorities continue to identify suspects, trace illicit proceeds, and analyze digital evidence collected during the operation.
Strengthening international cooperation against cybercrime
“Cybercriminal networks continue to operate across borders, exploiting digital platforms and increasingly sophisticated techniques to target individuals and businesses worldwide. Operation Serengeti III demonstrates the importance of sustained cooperation between law enforcement and the private sector. By combining investigative expertise, actionable threat intelligence, and coordinated international efforts, we can help identify criminal networks, disrupt their operations, and prevent further harm. We are proud to continue supporting INTERPOL and its partners in our shared mission to fight cybercrime.”
Dmitry Volkov
CEO of Group-IB
“Cybercrime networks operate without regard for borders, exploiting technology to target victims on an unprecedented scale. Operation Serengeti III reinforces a clear message: while cybercrime is increasingly borderless, international cooperation remains one of the most effective tools for disrupting criminal networks, recovering criminal assets and protecting communities from digital harm.”
Neal Jetton
Director of Cybercrime at INTERPOL
Operation Serengeti III builds on previous editions of the multinational initiative. In 2025, Operation Serengeti 2.0, also supported by Group-IB, resulted in 1,209 arrests, the disruption of 11,432 malicious networks, and the recovery of USD 97.4 million. Group-IB contributed intelligence relating to cryptocurrency investment scams, business email compromise infrastructure, and malicious infrastructure operating across Africa, alongside practical training for investigators.
The continued collaboration reflects Group-IB’s commitment to supporting international law enforcement through intelligence sharing, investigative assistance, and capacity building to combat digital crime.
Note to editors
The operation was co-funded by the Global Action on Cybercrime Enhanced (GLACY-e) project, a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
Participating countries: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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