Serengeti 2.0 exposes crypto fraud and human trafficking networks in Africa

Traders Union
All News
Crypto
Serengeti 2 0 exposes crypto

All news

Top Stories

Editors' Picks

Stocks

Crypto

Economics

Currencies

Commodities

Market Voices

Companies

Emilio Ghigini

23.08.2025

Serengeti 2.0 exposes crypto fraud and human trafficking networks in Africa — Interpol arrests 1,209 people in $97 million cybercrime operation in Africa and the UK

INTERPOL has announced the results of a large-scale operation “Serengeti 2.0” across 18 African countries and the UK, which led to 1,209 arrests and the seizure of $97.4M.

The operation was conducted under the African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and supported by private sector partners.

Private partners provided law enforcement with intelligence, guidance, and training to help investigators effectively operate and identify criminals in the relatively new cybercrime field.

This intelligence included crucial information about specific threats, as well as suspicious IP addresses, domains, and servers linked to organized cybercriminal groups.

As a result, Angolan authorities dismantled 25 cryptocurrency mining centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals. They seized equipment from 45 illegal power stations, along with mining and IT equipment worth over $37M, which the government will now allocate to support power supply in vulnerable areas.

In Zambia, authorities disrupted a large-scale crypto fraud scheme affecting 65,000 victims who collectively lost an estimated $300M. Scammers lured victims into investing in cryptocurrency through large ad campaigns promising high returns. Victims were then instructed to download several apps to participate.

Authorities arrested 15 people and seized key evidence, including domains, phone numbers, and bank accounts. Zambian authorities also uncovered a suspected human trafficking network, confiscating 372 fake passports from seven countries.

Old and new fraud schemes coexist

Inheritance scams remain one of the oldest forms of internet fraud, yet still generate significant profits for criminal organizations.Police in Côte d’Ivoire dismantled a transnational inheritance scam originating in Germany, arresting the prime suspect and seizing assets, including electronics, jewelry, cash, vehicles, and documents. Victims were tricked into paying fees to claim fake inheritances, resulting in approximately $1.6M in losses.

Countries involved in “Serengeti 2.0” include Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, the UK, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Operation partners: Cybercrime Atlas, Fortinet, Group-IB, Kaspersky, The Shadowserver Foundation, Team Cymru, Trend Micro, TRM Labs, and Uppsala Security.

As we wrote, Surge in digital banking fraud prompts Standard Bank security warning

This material may contain third-party opinions, none of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer. While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners.