INTERPOL operation reports 1,462 cybercrime arrests

INTERPOL said Operation Serengeti III resulted in 1,462 arrests, the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks and the recovery of more than $105 million in illicit funds during a coordinated cybercrime operation involving 21 countries. The operation ran from June 29 to August 31, 2026, and included law enforcement agencies from 20 African countries and the United States. INTERPOL said authorities identified 65,929 victims and linked criminal activity to losses exceeding $385 million. The figures were announced on October 22. In Uganda, INTERPOL said authorities dismantled two transnational fraud rings and arrested 365 foreign nationals. The groups allegedly used call centers, scripted pitches, fake trading platforms and fraudulent websites to persuade pensioners in Asia to invest in fictitious schemes. Nigerian authorities arrested a suspect in a phishing and business email compromise operation that collected about 2.1 million email addresses, according to INTERPOL. Investigators recovered a luxury vehicle suspected of having been bought with criminal proceeds. A separate Nigerian investigation into investment fraud promoted through messaging apps led to one arrest. INTERPOL...