INTERPOL arrested 1,462 suspects and recovered $105 million in a massive two-month cybercrime crackdown across 21 nations.
INTERPOL has scored a massive victory against internet fraudsters and online scammers after arresting 1,462 suspects, destroying 10,909 malicious computer networks, and recovering 105 million dollars in stolen money.
The huge global police operation was carried out across 21 different countries over two months, targeting organized criminal gangs that use fake websites, stolen emails, and bad mobile applications to trick innocent citizens out of their hard-earned money.
The major security operation, which was codenamed Operation Serengeti III, ran continuously from June 29, 2026, to August 31, 2026, with security officers working together across multiple continents to catch criminal rings.
During the special operation inside Nigeria, police officers arrested a key suspect involved in a fake email and website tricking business, which had secretly stolen log-in passwords and gathered about 2.1 million email addresses from victims.
Nigerian law enforcement officers also seized a luxury motor car from the suspect, which investigators confirmed was purchased using stolen money gained from internet fraud.
In another major case inside Nigeria, security agents tracked down a big fake online investment business that was being promoted through private text messaging applications.
Investigators discovered that the online investment syndicate had collected over 2.4 million dollars from unsuspecting victims, moving most of the stolen funds through digital internet currencies like bitcoin to hide the money.
The sweeping police operation also caught big criminal gangs operating in other neighboring African nations, bringing down dangerous networks that target innocent people daily.
Inside Uganda, police officers destroyed two big fraud rings and arrested 365 foreign nationals who were running fake online investment schemes and fake pension plans that targeted people living across Asia.
Down in Angola, security officers raided two illegal digital currency mining factories, arresting nine suspects while seizing over 2,000 heavy machines and six illegal power stations worth more than $1million.
Police officers also stopped fake mobile money loan applications in Tanzania, destroyed a fake car buying network in Gabon, and arrested cybercrime suspects across the Republic of Congo.
Speaking on the massive success of the joint police raid, the Director of Cybercrime at INTERPOL, Neal Jetton, explained why international teamwork is necessary to catch internet thieves who operate from different countries.
Emphasizing that police forces are working together across boundaries to protect ordinary people from internet fraud, Neal Jetton stated: “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.”
The big police action saw police departments work together across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, The Gambia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, the United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Republic of Congo.
Police agencies are still going through seized computer equipment to catch remaining members of the criminal groups.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
