306 Arrests in Africa: Interpol Conducts Operation Red Card Against Online Fraud and Illegal Gambling
The international Operation Red Card, conducted by Interpol from November 2024 to February 2025, led to the arrest of 306 individuals across seven African countries: Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia, Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Authorities seized 1,842 devices, 26 vehicles, 16 houses, and 39 plots of land in total.
130 people were arrested, including 113 foreigners. Illegal investment and gambling platforms operating in multiple languages were uncovered. Funds were laundered via cryptocurrency. Some of those arrested were victims of human trafficking.
40 arrests were made. Authorities confiscated 1,000 SIM cards used for sending phishing SMS messages. Fraudsters exploited vulnerabilities in mobile networks.
14 people were detained. Criminals installed malicious apps on victims’ phones to steal banking data.
45 arrests were made. Losses from social engineering scams exceeded $305,000, with some funds successfully recovered.
The operation was supported by cyber intelligence from Group-IB, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, and other partners. It mainly targeted phishing schemes, fake investment platforms, and online fraud.
The international Operation Red Card, conducted by Interpol from November 2024 to February 2025, led to the arrest of 306 individuals across seven African countries: Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia, Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Authorities seized 1,842 devices, 26 vehicles, 16 houses, and 39 plots of land in total.
Operation in Nigeria:
130 people were arrested, including 113 foreigners. Illegal investment and gambling platforms operating in multiple languages were uncovered. Funds were laundered via cryptocurrency. Some of those arrested were victims of human trafficking.
Operation in South Africa:
40 arrests were made. Authorities confiscated 1,000 SIM cards used for sending phishing SMS messages. Fraudsters exploited vulnerabilities in mobile networks.
Operation in Zambia:
14 people were detained. Criminals installed malicious apps on victims’ phones to steal banking data.
Operation in Rwanda:
45 arrests were made. Losses from social engineering scams exceeded $305,000, with some funds successfully recovered.
The operation was supported by cyber intelligence from Group-IB, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, and other partners. It mainly targeted phishing schemes, fake investment platforms, and online fraud.