LYON, France — Law enforcement agencies across 16 African countries have dismantled criminal networks running transnational online fraud schemes, making 651 arrests and recovering over USD 4.3 million during Operation Red Card 2.0, which ran from December 8, 2025, to January 30, 2026.
The eight-week cyber operation targeted scams involving high-yield investments, mobile money fraud, and fraudulent mobile loan applications, uncovering financial losses exceeding USD 45 million and identifying 1,247 victims across Africa and other regions.
Authorities also seized 2,341 devices and shut down 1,442 malicious IPs, domains, and servers.
Regional Success Stories
In Nigeria, police dismantled a high-yield investment fraud ring that recruited young individuals to carry out cyber-enabled crimes using phishing, identity theft, social engineering, and fake digital asset schemes.
Investigators also uncovered a residential property used as the ringleader’s operational hub and took down over 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts.
In Kenya, authorities made 27 arrests connected to online investment fraud.
Scammers used messaging apps and social media to lure victims with promises of high returns from fake investments in global corporations.
Victims were shown fabricated dashboards and account statements, but withdrawals were systematically blocked.
In Côte d’Ivoire, police arrested 58 suspects and seized 240 mobile phones, 25 laptops, and over 300 SIM cards in a crackdown on mobile loan fraud targeting vulnerable populations.
Fraudsters exploited mobile applications and messaging services, harvesting personal and financial data while imposing hidden fees and abusive debt-collection practices.
A separate operation in Nigeria saw six members of a cybercrime syndicate arrested for infiltrating a major telecommunications provider’s internal platform using compromised staff credentials, disrupting illegal resale of airtime and data.
🚨 Major operation in Africa targeting online scams nets 651 arrests, recovers USD 4.3 millionOperation Red Card 2.0, carried out across 16 African countries, targeted the infrastructure and criminal groups behind: 🔵 High-yield investment scams 🔵 Mobile money fraud 🔵
Collaboration and Intelligence
The operation was supported by INTERPOL, which provided intelligence sharing, real-time coordination, and training on digital forensic tools. INTERPOL’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, said:
“These organized cybercriminal syndicates inflict devastating financial and psychological harm on individuals, businesses and entire communities. Operation Red Card highlights the importance of collaboration when combatting transnational cybercrime. I encourage all victims of cybercrime to reach out to law enforcement for help.”
INTERPOL worked closely with partners including Cybercrime Atlas, Team Cymru, Trend Micro, TRM Labs, and Uppsala Security, leveraging their expertise to identify and dismantle the infrastructure behind these scams.
Rising Threats
Operation Red Card 2.0 underscores the growing threat of cyber-enabled crimes across Africa, affecting both individuals and businesses.
Authorities have urged victims to report incidents promptly and remain cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, mobile loans, and suspicious online offers.
The coordinated effort demonstrates that regional and international cooperation is critical in tackling cybercrime, disrupting criminal networks, and protecting vulnerable populations from financial exploitation.
