INTERPOL Operation Red Card 2.0: A Major Blow to African Cybercrime Networks

In one of the biggest cybercrime enforcement actions of the year, INTERPOL worked alongside law enforcement agencies from 16 African countries to launch Operation Red Card 2.0, a coordinated effort aimed at disrupting online fraud networks operating across the region.
The eight-week operation, which ran from December 8, 2025, to January 30, 2026, resulted in 651 arrests and the seizure of more than 2,300 electronic devices linked to cybercriminal activities. Authorities also dismantled over 1,400 malicious IP addresses, domains, and servers that were being used to support large-scale fraud campaigns.
Investigators uncovered a wide range of scams, including fake investment schemes, fraudulent mobile money transactions, and deceptive loan applications designed to steal personal and financial information. According to INTERPOL, the criminal networks targeted thousands of victims and were responsible for financial losses exceeding $45 million.
Nigeria was among the countries that recorded major successes during the operation. Authorities dismantled an investment fraud network that used phishing campaigns and fake online platforms to deceive victims. More than 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts connected to the scheme were taken offline. In a separate case, another group was arrested for allegedly using stolen employee credentials to gain unauthorized access to a telecommunications provider.
Kenyan investigators uncovered cybercriminals operating fake investment platforms that displayed fabricated profits to convince victims to invest more money. Meanwhile, authorities in Côte d’Ivoire shut down several malicious loan applications that targeted financially vulnerable individuals.
The operation was carried out under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) initiative, with support from cybersecurity partners who provided intelligence and technical expertise to help identify criminal infrastructure and track online activities.
INTERPOL officials emphasized that cybercrime continues to cause significant financial and emotional damage to individuals and businesses worldwide. They also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, noting that cybercriminal networks often operate across multiple countries and jurisdictions.
Operation Red Card 2.0 demonstrates how collaboration between governments, law enforcement agencies, and private-sector organizations can produce meaningful results in the fight against cybercrime. As online fraud continues to evolve, coordinated global efforts like this will remain essential to protecting individuals and organizations from increasingly sophisticated digital threats.