Ola Akinwunmi
Interpol has announced the arrest of 306 individuals linked to various cyber scams across seven African countries, with Nigeria recording the highest number of arrests. The operation, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, targeted mobile banking, investment, and messaging app scams, uncovering over 1,500 victims.
Dubbed Operation Red Card, this initiative aimed to disrupt cross-border criminal networks causing significant harm to individuals and businesses. Authorities in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia collaborated, sharing criminal intelligence through Interpol, which provided data on the operations of these networks.
Nigeria’s Prominent RoleNigeria emerged as a focal point in the operation, with the Nigeria Police Force (corrected official name) arresting 130 individuals, including 113 foreign nationals, for alleged involvement in cyber-enabled scams such as online casino and investment fraud. Investigations revealed that certain criminal groups were recruiting and training young Nigerians, equipping them with devices and online profiles to perpetrate internet fraud. Notably, some individuals working at these scam centres (British spelling applied) were identified as victims of human trafficking, coerced into criminal activities.
In December 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a major operation uncovering a group engaged in large-scale internet fraud, locally known as “yahoo yahoo.” This investigation led to the seizure (changed “seize” to “seizure” for correct noun usage) of 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 plots of land, and 685 devices.
Rwandan authorities arrested 45 members of a criminal network involved in social engineering scams. These scams included impersonating telecommunications employees to collect sensitive information, gaining unauthorised (British spelling applied) access to victims’ phones and bank accounts. In 2024 alone, this network defrauded victims of over $305,000. Investigators recovered $103,043 and seized 292 devices during the operation.
In South Africa, 40 suspects were apprehended for their involvement in SIM box fraud—a scheme that converts international calls into local ones to bypass legal monitoring and facilitate large-scale SMS phishing attacks. Authorities seized more than 1,000 SIM cards and 53 desktops linked to this sophisticated fraud, which was used to launch phishing attacks aimed at stealing personal and financial information.
Zambian authorities arrested 14 members of a criminal syndicate specialising (British spelling applied) in hacking victims’ phones through malicious links. The gang sent messages containing harmful software, allowing them to control victims’ devices and access banking applications. These criminals also used hacked messaging apps to spread malware by sharing malicious links in conversations and group chats.
Operation Red Card is part of Interpol’s ongoing efforts to combat transnational cybercrime, focusing on scams that exploit digital platforms and financial systems. The operation builds on previous collaborations with African law enforcement agencies, leveraging shared intelligence to disrupt criminal networks.
Nigeria’s prominent role in this operation highlights the country’s commitment to tackling cyber-enabled fraud, a crime locally referred to as “yahoo yahoo.” The involvement of foreign nationals and the identification of human trafficking victims within these networks underscore the complexity and transnational nature of cybercrime across the continent.
This coordinated effort demonstrates the effectiveness of international collaboration in addressing the growing threat of cybercrime, aiming to protect individuals and businesses from significant financial and personal harm.