Between 29 June and 31 August 2026, [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/)‑coordinated [Operation Serengeti III](https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2026/Cybercrime- crackdown-in-Africa-nets-1-462-arrests-recovers-over-USD-105-million) led police in 20 African nations and the United States to detain 1,462 alleged cybercriminals and seize assets worth more than $105 million, targeting scams that routinely appear on ordinary mobile phones and messaging apps.
Key outcomes of the three‑month drive include:
- A total of 1,462 suspects were arrested and 65,929 victims were identified.
- Authorities recovered just over $105 million, roughly 27 cents for every dollar of the $385 million estimated loss.
- In Uganda, 365 foreign nationals were apprehended for running bogus investment and pension schemes from call centres.
- In Nigeria, one detainee was linked to a phishing and business‑email‑compromise ring that harvested about 2.1 million email addresses, while another was tied to a $2.4 million investment fraud promoted on messaging apps.
- Interpol has not disclosed how or when the recovered funds will be returned to victims.
**What scams were uncovered?**
The operation exposed a range of fraudulent models that mimic legitimate services: fake trading platforms promising guaranteed returns, counterfeit loan‑app schemes that request contacts and photos, bogus car‑import offers on social media, and business‑email‑compromise messages that appear to come from a boss or supplier.
**Which countries participated?**
Police forces from Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe joined the effort, disrupting 10,909 malicious networks.
**How much money was lost and recovered?**
Interpol’s figures show $385 million in losses linked to the identified victims, with $105 million recovered – about 27 % of the total. Spread across the 65,929 victims, the average loss per person is roughly $5,840, although individual losses varied widely.
**What warning signs should users watch for?**
- **Fake investment platforms:** promises of guaranteed profit, a “manager” who contacts you first, pressure to add more money, and withdrawal fees that never disappear.
- **Business‑email compromise:** urgent emails from a supposed boss or supplier requesting payment to a new account – always verify using a known contact number.
- **Phishing links:** login pages delivered via a link rather than typed directly; check for data‑breach exposure if you suspect your email was compromised.
- **Bogus loan apps:** apps demanding access to contacts and photos and not listed on the regulator’s approved catalogue; in Nigeria, consult the FCCPC register.
- **Car‑import fraud:** sellers demanding deposits before any paperwork or vehicle inspection and then disappearing.
**What remains unknown?**
- The identities and specific charges of most arrested individuals, as Interpol has not released those details.
- The timeline and mechanism for returning the $105 million to affected victims.
- Details of operations in Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, which participated but were not described publicly.
If you suspect you have fallen victim to any of these schemes, contact your bank immediately – early action can freeze fraudulent transfers – and report the incident to your national cybercrime unit, such as the [Nigerian Police Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Police_Force). For mobile‑money users, take a few minutes to secure your account against SIM‑swap fraud.