Over 300 arrested in international crackdown on cyber scams

Summary: Law enforcement across seven African countries arrested over 300 suspected cybercriminals involved in various scams in an operation coordinated by Interpol. The operation revealed complex networks manipulating mobile banking and communication platforms, impacting more than 5,000 victims. Additional insights reveal an increase in cyberattacks targeting the African region, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by institutions.

Affected: Law enforcement agencies in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia

Keypoints :

• Over 300 suspected cybercriminals arrested across seven African countries.
• Nigeria accounted for 130 arrests, involving foreign nationals tied to various online scams.
• Criminal activities included SIM box fraud in South Africa and phone hacking in Zambia.
• The operation was supported by private cybersecurity firms assisting in malware analysis.
• African region has seen a spike in cyberattacks, affecting critical services and public institutions.