A sweeping cybercrime crackdown coordinated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, with support from private-sector partners such as Binance, has led to one of the largest law enforcement operations against digital crime in Africa.

Dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, the three-month initiative (June–August 2025) resulted in the arrest of 1,209 individuals linked to cyberattacks affecting more than 88,000 victims. Authorities also recovered $97.4 million in stolen assets, dismantled 11,432 malicious online infrastructures, and shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers in Angola.

In a major breakthrough, Zambian officials disrupted a $300 million cryptocurrency investment scam that defrauded 65,000 victims. Angolan authorities also seized 45 illicit power stations, worth an estimated $37 million, redirecting energy resources to local communities.

The operation targeted critical cyber threats identified in INTERPOL’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, including ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and cryptocurrency scams—attacks that continue to drain billions from African economies.

The crackdown was coordinated under the Cybercrime Atlas, a World Economic Forum initiative uniting more than 30 private companies, including Binance, Microsoft, and Fortinet, with law enforcement agencies worldwide. By pooling open-source intelligence (OSINT) and expertise, the program maps and disrupts cybercriminal networks that operate across borders.

“With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact. This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims,” said Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL’s Secretary General, in a statement on the operation’s results.

Investigators leveraged OSINT to track cybercriminal infrastructure, identify cross-border links, and trace illicit cryptocurrency operations. This intelligence-sharing model allowed authorities in Angola to pinpoint energy-draining mining operations and enabled Zambia to dismantle a vast investment fraud network.

Binance, a member of the Cybercrime Atlas, played an active role in intelligence sharing. The company has been participating in weekly threat-hunting sessions with global investigators, contributing actionable insights to law enforcement agencies.

“Safeguarding the digital ecosystem requires unity between private enterprises, law enforcement, and international organizations,” Binance said in a statement, adding that it remains committed to long-term cooperation through initiatives such as the Cybercrime Atlas.