Police forces in 16 African countries have dealt a major blow to cybercrime. In the space of two months, authorities arrested 651 people and dismantled major cybercrime networks that had extorted nearly 38 million euros from thousands of victims, Interpol announced on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from its headquarters in Lyon.

The range of methods used by fraudsters, as described by the international criminal police organization in its press release, is impressive. It includes deceptive promises of substantial profits, mobile payment and loan fraud, and bogus cryptocurrency investments. These crimes were made possible by massive online thefts of personal data or the use of fake mobile applications.

Large-scale international coordination

Interpol coordinated and supported this operation, dubbed "Red Card 2.0," in 16 countries across the continent, from December 8, 2025, to January 30, 2026. This large-scale operation led to the arrest of 651 individuals and the seizure of over US$4.3 million, out of a total estimated loss of over US$45 million (approximately €38 million). To date, national police forces have identified 1,247 victims, primarily in Africa but also in other parts of the world, although this number is likely an underestimate.

Networks dismantled in 16 countries

The operations, conducted under the auspices of the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), covered numerous countries, including Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. In Nigeria, police dismantled a high-yield fraud network using phishing to sell bogus investments in digital assets. In Côte d'Ivoire, the operation led to the arrest of 58 people involved in mobile loan scams targeting vulnerable populations, employing abusive collection methods and exorbitant fees.

This initiative, funded by the UK Foreign Office, marks a crucial step in the fight against cybercrime on the continent. Interpol is now encouraging all potential victims to come forward to the authorities in their respective countries to facilitate further investigations.