Law enforcement authorities in seven African countries recently arrested over 300 suspects involved in cyber-enabled scams. The international operation, codenamed Red Card, targeted criminal networks responsible for mobile banking, investment, and messaging app fraud. The crackdown, which took place from November 2024 to February 2025, was a coordinated effort by authorities in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia. These networks defrauded more than 5,000 victims across the continent.
Nigerian police were among the most active, arresting 130 people, including 113 foreign nationals.
These individuals were allegedly involved in scams such as online casino fraud and fraudulent investment schemes. Some of the arrested suspects are believed to have been victims of human trafficking, coerced into participating in the illegal activities. South African authorities also arrested 40 individuals involved in a sophisticated SIM box fraud operation, which rerouted international calls to local ones for large-scale SMS phishing attacks.
Zambian authorities apprehended 14 members of a syndicate responsible for hacking into victims’ phones using malicious links.
Once victims clicked these links, the hackers gained access to sensitive banking information through malware. Authorities seized various assets during the operation, including equipment, vehicles, and property linked to the suspects’ criminal activities. The operation was supported by private cybersecurity firms, including Kaspersky, which provided crucial analysis of malware targeting users in African countries.
The Red Card operation highlights the growing threat of cybercrime in Africa and the importance of international cooperation. INTERPOL praised the successful dismantling of criminal networks, sending a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished. This effort underscores the need for increased resources and collaboration to combat the growing cyber threat across the region.
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