Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested 130 individuals, including 113 foreign nationals as part of a sweeping crackdown on cyber-enabled scams such as online casino fraud and investment scams.
The arrests were made under Operation Red Card, a multinational initiative led by INTERPOL to combat cybercrime across Africa between November 2024 and February 2025.
Authorities revealed that the suspects converted their illicit proceeds into digital assets to evade detection.
According to an INTERPOL post on X, investigations suggest that some individuals running these scam centers may themselves be victims of human trafficking, forced or coerced into criminal activities.
It noted that the Nigerian operation also led to the seizure of 26 vehicles, 16 houses, 39 plots of land, and 685 devices linked to fraudulent schemes.
Officials say the suspects were recruited from various countries to run these operations in multiple languages, maximizing their reach and deception.
The arrests in Nigeria are part of effort across the continent to dismantle cybercriminal networks.
In total, authorities in seven African countries seized 1,842 electronic devices used in scams targeting banking, investment, and messaging applications.
They reported more than 300 individuals were arrested across the region, and the cases uncovered during the operation revealed that over 5,000 people had fallen victim to these schemes.
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In South Africa, police apprehended 40 individuals and dismantled a sophisticated SIM box fraud network.
The operation led to the seizure of over 1,000 SIM cards and 53 desktop computers linked to the scheme. The fraud involved rerouting international calls as local ones, a method often exploited for large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
INTERPOL also noted Zambian authorities made significant strides in tackling cybercrime, arresting 14 suspected members of a hacking syndicate that specialized in taking control of victims’ phones.
“The criminals tricked users into clicking on malicious links, which installed malware that granted hackers access to their messaging apps and banking accounts.
“Once inside, the hackers used compromised messaging apps to spread the malware further, extending their reach to unsuspecting contacts”, the report said.
In Rwanda, police arrested 45 individuals connected to a network that defrauded victims of over $305,000 in 2024 alone.
The fraudsters employed social engineering tactics, posing as telecommunications employees and luring victims with fake jackpot winnings to extract sensitive banking information. Another common scheme involved impersonating injured relatives to solicit money for hospital bills.
Authorities recovered $103,043 and seized 292 devices used in the scams.
Operation Red Card highlights the growing threat of cyber-enabled fraud across Africa, where criminals exploit digital platforms to target individuals and businesses.
Law enforcement agencies continue to collaborate across borders, working to dismantle these networks and recover stolen funds.
Officials warned that while these arrests mark a significant victory, cybercriminals constantly adapt their tactics, requiring ongoing vigilance and cooperation to stay ahead of emerging threats.
