INTERPOL reports 1,462 arrests in cybercrime operation

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 across 21 countries. The agency also reported 65,929 identified victims and losses exceeding $385 million linked to criminal activity under investigation. The operation ran from June 29 to August 31, 2026, and targeted cyberenabled fraud, ransomware, business email compromise, online scams and digital extortion. It involved law enforcement agencies from 20 African countries and the United States. INTERPOL announced the results on October 22. The totals are based on INTERPOL’s account of the operation. Arrests and suspected links to criminal activity do not establish guilt or indicate how many people will be charged or convicted. The reported recovery figure also does not specify how much money will ultimately be returned to victims. Uganda recorded one of the largest country-level arrest figures reported. INTERPOL said authorities there dismantled two fraud rings and arrested 365 foreign nationals linked to investment and pension scams targeting victims in Asia. Investigators described a rotating call-centre...