Nigeria Leads Interpol’s Africa-Wide Cybercrime Crackdown with 130 Arrests
ABUJA — Nigeria has emerged as the top contributor to Interpol’s Operation Red Card, a continent-wide crackdown on cybercrime, with 130 arrests, including 113 foreign nationals. The operation, conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, targeted cyber-enabled scams such as online casino fraud, investment schemes, and messaging app fraud, resulting in the arrest of 306 suspects across seven African countries.
Operation Red Card: A Continent-Wide Effort
Interpol’s Operation Red Card aimed to dismantle cross-border criminal networks responsible for large-scale cyber fraud. The operation focused on scams involving mobile banking, investment fraud, and messaging apps, uncovering over 5,000 victims across Africa. Participating countries included Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia.
Nigeria’s Role in the Crackdown
Nigeria accounted for the highest number of arrests, with 130 suspects detained, including 113 foreign nationals. The suspects were involved in various fraudulent activities, such as:
- Online Casino Fraud: Victims were lured into fake online gambling platforms.
- Investment Scams: Fraudsters promised high returns on fictitious investments.
- Romance Scams: Criminals manipulated victims into transferring money under the guise of romantic relationships.
Investigations revealed that many suspects converted their illicit proceeds into digital assets to evade detection. Additionally, some individuals working in scam centers were identified as potential victims of human trafficking, coerced into criminal activities.
The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) played a pivotal role in the operation, dismantling a major criminal network in December 2024. This network recruited young Nigerians, provided them with training and equipment, and created fake social media profiles for fraudulent activities.
Seizures and Assets Recovered
The crackdown in Nigeria led to the seizure of significant assets, including:
- 26 vehicles
- 16 houses
- 39 plots of land
- 685 electronic devices
These seizures highlight the scale of the criminal operations and the resources deployed by fraudsters.
Other African Countries’ Contributions
- Rwanda: Authorities arrested 45 members of a criminal group involved in social engineering scams, recovering $103,043 and seizing 292 devices.
- South Africa: Police apprehended 40 individuals linked to a sophisticated SIM box fraud scheme, confiscating over 1,000 SIM cards and 53 desktops.
- Zambia: Arrests were made in connection with mobile banking and investment scams.
Interpol’s Statement
Neal Jetton, Interpol’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime:
“Operation Red Card demonstrates the power of collaboration in disrupting criminal networks that cause significant harm to individuals and businesses. The recovery of assets and the arrest of key suspects send a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished.”
Implications for Nigeria
Nigeria’s leading role in the operation underscores the country’s growing reputation as a hub for cybercrime. However, it also highlights the government’s commitment to tackling the issue through international collaboration and robust enforcement. The EFCC’s efforts, coupled with Interpol’s support, have dealt a significant blow to cybercriminal networks operating in the region.
