After months of coordinated effort, a massive international operation has resulted in the arrest of 306 suspected cybercriminals across seven African countries. Dubbed “Operation Red Card,” the crackdown targeted cross-border fraud networks operating in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia from November 2024 to February 2025.
The operation netted an impressive haul. Law enforcement seized 1,842 devices used to perpetrate various scams that victimized over 5,000 people. Nigeria saw the highest number of arrests—130 individuals, including 113 foreign nationals. Talk about an international criminal convention.
Law enforcement hit the jackpot—hauling in nearly 2,000 scam devices and cuffing 130 suspects in Nigeria alone.
In Nigeria, authorities confiscated 26 vehicles, 16 houses, and 39 plots of land from criminals running online casino and investment schemes. These scammers weren’t exactly subtle with their ill-gotten gains. They converted proceeds to digital assets, thinking they were being clever. Spoiler alert: they weren’t.
South Africa’s contribution to the operation was equally significant, with 40 arrests linked to SIM box fraud—a scheme that reroutes international calls as local ones. Authorities seized over 1,000 SIM cards and 53 desktop computers used specifically for SMS phishing attacks. These fraudsters were basically running their own telecom company. Just not a legal one.
Meanwhile, Zambian officials apprehended 14 members of a hacking syndicate who used malicious links to gain control of victims’ phones. Once inside, they accessed banking apps and spread their scam through messaging platforms. Classic digital home invasion. Without proper multi-factor authentication, victims had little defense against these sophisticated attacks.
Rwanda’s haul was particularly impressive, with 45 arrests of criminals who defrauded victims of over $305,000 in 2024. They recovered $103,043 and seized 292 devices from scammers impersonating telecom employees and family members.
The operation, led by INTERPOL with support from the UK Foreign Office and private cybersecurity firms, highlights the growing threat of cybercrime in Africa. This international effort reflects a similar approach to Operation HAECHI IV, which involved 34 countries working together to combat evolving cybercrime tactics. Countries exchanged intelligence on key targets throughout the operation. A rare win for the good guys in the endless game of digital cat and mouse.
