Interpol’s headquarters are seen in Singapore, REUTERS/Thomas White
Interpol has announced the arrest of 306 suspects linked to cybercrime scams as part of Operation Red Card, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 across seven African countries, the BBC News Pidgin edition reported on Tuesday.
The operation targeted mobile banking, investment, and messaging app scams, uncovering more than 1,500 victims.
“The arrests are part of Operation Red Card, conducted from November 2024 to February 2025, aimed at disrupting cross-border criminal networks causing significant harm to individuals and businesses,” BBC quoted Interpol as saying. “Authorities in seven African countries have arrested 306 suspects and seized 1,842 devices in an international operation targeting cyberattacks and cyber-enabled scams.”
The countries involved—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia—shared criminal intelligence through Interpol, which provided data on the operations of the criminal networks. Nigeria recorded the highest number of arrests, followed by Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia.
Nigeria Leads in Arrests
Nigeria recorded the highest number of arrests, with 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, detained for alleged involvement in various cyber scams and investment fraud.
According to Interpol, the Nigerian police identified criminal groups that recruited and trained young Nigerians, providing them with devices and online profiles to carry out internet fraud.
“Nigerian police arrested 130 people, including 113 foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in cyber-enabled scams such as online casino and investment fraud,” the statement read.
Interpol added that some individuals working at the scam centres were victims of human trafficking, forced into criminal activities.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously reported a major operation in December 2024, where a criminal group was found to be running large-scale internet fraud, known locally as “yahoo yahoo.”
The investigation in Nigeria led to the seizure of 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 plots of land, and 685 devices, according to Interpol.
Rwanda: 45 Suspects Arrested
In Rwanda, authorities arrested 45 members of a criminal network involved in social engineering scams. These scams included impersonating telecommunications employees to collect sensitive information and gain unauthorized access to victims’ phones and bank accounts.
“Rwandan authorities arrested 45 members of a criminal network after they defrauded victims of over $305,000 in 2024 alone,” Interpol said.
Investigators recovered $103,043 and seized 292 devices during the operation. Criminals also used impersonation tactics, such as pretending to be injured family members, to solicit funds from victims.
South Africa: SIM Box Fraud Uncovered
In South Africa, 40 suspects were arrested for their involvement in SIM box fraud—a scheme that converts international calls into local ones to bypass legal monitoring and facilitate large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
“Authorities arrested 40 individuals and seized more than 1,000 SIM cards, along with 53 desktops and towers, linked to a sophisticated SIM box fraud scheme,” Interpol confirmed.
These devices were used to launch phishing attacks by sending malicious SMS messages intended to steal personal and financial information.
Zambia: Phone Hacking Syndicate Busted
Zambian authorities arrested 14 members of a criminal syndicate specializing in hacking into victims’ phones through malicious links.
The gang sent messages containing harmful software, which allowed them to control victims’ devices and access banking applications.
“For Zambia, officers caught 14 suspected members of a criminal syndicate that hacked into victims’ phones. This allowed hackers to take control of messaging accounts and gain access to banking apps,” the statement read.
Interpol added that the criminals used hacked messaging apps to spread malware by sharing malicious links in conversations and group chats.
Operation Red Card is part of Interpol’s ongoing efforts to combat transnational cybercrime, focusing on scams that exploit digital platforms and financial systems. The operation builds on previous collaborations with African law enforcement agencies, leveraging shared intelligence to disrupt criminal networks.
Nigeria, a key participant, has faced a surge in cyber-enabled fraud, locally known as “yahoo yahoo,” prompting intensified efforts by the EFCC and Interpol to target both perpetrators and their infrastructure. The involvement of foreign nationals and potential human trafficking victims underscores the complexity of these networks across the continent.
