Authorities around Africa detain 306 individuals in a coordinated operation targeting online casinos and fraudulent activities.
Cracking Down on Online Scams: Operation Red Card
In a major blow to cybercriminals, Operation Red Card, an extensive campaign led by INTERPOL, has seen 306 arrests across seven African countries. The operation targeted various types of online scams, including fake lotteries and casinos, and was carried out in partnership with local law enforcement agencies in locations such as Zambia, Togo, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Benin.
African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime, or AFJOC, was the platform under which Operation Red Card was launched in November 2024 and concluded last month. When it comes to the biggest crackdowns, Nigeria stands out, with 130 arrests, mainly related to running fraudulent investment sites and online casinos. These suspects were found trying to conceal their ill-gotten proceeds through cryptocurrency.
Another notable scam identified was a fraudulent lottery scheme in Rwanda. This operation employed social engineering to deceive individuals worldwide, and resulted in the arrest of 45 people in Rwanda alone. The scammers posed as winning lottery recipients and tricked victims into surrendering sensitive information, which they later used to access bank accounts.
expressing his satisfaction with the success of Operation Red Card, Neal Jetton, INTERPOL Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, stated that it sends a clear message to cybercriminals: their activities will not go unnoticed.
Contributing to the success of Operation Red Card were partnerships with entities like Kaspersky, which provided critical threat intelligence data to aid in the analysis of malicious Android applications targeting African users. The operation highlights the importance of international cooperation in countering cross-border cybercrime.
Key highlights of Operation Red Card include involvement from seven African countries, resulting in 306 arrests and the seizure of 1,842 devices. Scams targeted included those involving mobile banking, investment and messaging apps. The operation affected over 5,000 individuals across multiple countries, and highlighted the importance of international collaboration to combat digital threats.
- Operation Red Card, a joint operation against cybercrime in seven African countries, resulted in the arrest of 45 individuals involved in a fraudulent lottery scheme in Rwanda.
- The operation targeted various types of online scams, including fake lotteries and casinos, and was launched in November 2024 under the African Joint Operation Against Cybercrime (AFJOC).
- In Nigeria, 130 arrests were made, mainly related to running fraudulent investment sites and online casinos, with suspects trying to conceal their ill-gotten proceeds through cryptocurrency.
- Partnerships with entities like Kaspersky were crucial in providing critical threat intelligence data, aiding in the analysis of malicious Android applications targeting African users.
- Neal Jetton, INTERPOL Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, expressed his satisfaction with the success of Operation Red Card, stating that it sends a clear message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unnoticed.
