OP 28 November, 2024 - 05:30 PM
Operation Serengeti took place in Africa, during which law enforcement agencies from 19 countries arrested more than 1,000 people suspected of cybercrime that caused losses of almost $193 million worldwide.
The operation was coordinated by INTERPOL and Afripol from September 2 to October 31. The focus was on ransomware crimes, BEC attacks, blackmail, and online scams.
According to INTERPOL, 1,006 suspects were arrested, and more than 134,000 malicious infrastructures and networks were dismantled. The investigation linked the suspects and malicious networks to 35,224 victims who lost a total of $193 million. The operation managed to recover about $44 million.
![[Image: 0-Serengeti.png]](https://i.ibb.co/v4KQZW3/0-Serengeti.png)
Regional highlights of the operation
• Kenya: Uncovered a credit card fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of $8.6 million. The funds were transferred via SWIFT to company accounts in the UAE, Nigeria and China. Almost 20 people were arrested.
• Senegal: Uncovered a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 1,811 people of $6 million. More than 900 SIM cards, $11,000 in cash, as well as the victims’ phones, laptops and IDs were seized. Eight people were detained, including five Chinese nationals.
• Nigeria: An investment scam mastermind who defrauded clients of $300,000 with false promises of cryptocurrency was arrested.
• Cameroon: A multi-level marketing scam that targeted residents of seven countries was stopped. People were held against their will and forced to recruit new members in order to escape. The scammers collected at least $150,000 in membership fees.
• Angola: An international group operating a virtual casino in Luanda has been dismantled. Hundreds of victims were involved in a scheme that promised rewards for attracting new members. 150 people were arrested, 200 computers and more than 100 mobile phones were seized.
Operation Serengeti was funded by the British and German Foreign Offices, as well as the Council of Europe. Participating countries include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and others. Fortinet, Group-IB, Kaspersky, Trend Micro and Team Cymru acted as partners.
source : https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Eve...6-suspects
The operation was coordinated by INTERPOL and Afripol from September 2 to October 31. The focus was on ransomware crimes, BEC attacks, blackmail, and online scams.
According to INTERPOL, 1,006 suspects were arrested, and more than 134,000 malicious infrastructures and networks were dismantled. The investigation linked the suspects and malicious networks to 35,224 victims who lost a total of $193 million. The operation managed to recover about $44 million.
Regional highlights of the operation
• Kenya: Uncovered a credit card fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of $8.6 million. The funds were transferred via SWIFT to company accounts in the UAE, Nigeria and China. Almost 20 people were arrested.
• Senegal: Uncovered a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 1,811 people of $6 million. More than 900 SIM cards, $11,000 in cash, as well as the victims’ phones, laptops and IDs were seized. Eight people were detained, including five Chinese nationals.
• Nigeria: An investment scam mastermind who defrauded clients of $300,000 with false promises of cryptocurrency was arrested.
• Cameroon: A multi-level marketing scam that targeted residents of seven countries was stopped. People were held against their will and forced to recruit new members in order to escape. The scammers collected at least $150,000 in membership fees.
• Angola: An international group operating a virtual casino in Luanda has been dismantled. Hundreds of victims were involved in a scheme that promised rewards for attracting new members. 150 people were arrested, 200 computers and more than 100 mobile phones were seized.
Operation Serengeti was funded by the British and German Foreign Offices, as well as the Council of Europe. Participating countries include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and others. Fortinet, Group-IB, Kaspersky, Trend Micro and Team Cymru acted as partners.
source : https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Eve...6-suspects