A Major Blow Against Digital Fraud in Africa
Interpol has revealed details of a sweeping crackdown on crypto-related crime in Africa, uncovering a $300 million fraud operation in Zambia and dismantling illegal mining hubs in Angola. The coordinated effort, dubbed Operation Serengeti 2.0, highlights the growing sophistication of digital financial scams—and the mounting response from global law enforcement.
$300M App-Based Crypto Scam in Zambia
According to Interpol, more than 65,000 people were duped by a large-scale crypto fraud in Zambia that mimicked the structure of a legitimate tech startup. Criminals relied on targeted online ads to lure victims into downloading proprietary applications that promised high-yield returns but were engineered to funnel deposits into fraudulent accounts.
The scheme ran on a carefully built "criminal tech stack," giving victims the illusion of legitimacy while siphoning an estimated $300 million. During the raid, Zambian authorities arrested 15 suspects and seized crucial evidence, including domain records, mobile data, and bank accounts linked to the operation. Investigators are now working to trace the wider international network behind the scam.
Angola Targets Illegal Crypto Mining
While Zambia tackled investment fraud, Angola focused on illegal crypto mining. Authorities there dismantled 25 unauthorized mining centers operated by 60 Chinese nationals. In addition to seizing mining rigs, the operation targeted the root of the problem: 45 illicit power stations that had been diverting electricity from the national grid.
Interpol reported that the value of the confiscated mining and IT equipment exceeded $37 million. In a rare move, Angolan officials announced that the recovered hardware will be repurposed to strengthen power distribution in underserved communities—turning seized technology into public infrastructure.
A Pan-African Crackdown
Operation Serengeti 2.0 wasn’t limited to Zambia and Angola. The operation brought together investigators from 18 African nations and the UK, sharing intelligence on suspicious domains, IP addresses, and command-and-control servers.
Interpol confirmed the takedown of 11,432 malicious infrastructures and the recovery of nearly $97.4 million in assets across the continent. Participating countries included Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania, among others—underscoring the need for regional collaboration against cybercrime.
