Ethical Hacking News
Operation Red Card 2.0: A Groundbreaking International Effort to Combat Transnational Cybercrime Across Africa, with 651 Arrests Made and $4.3 Million Recovered in Illicit Proceeds
INTERPOL's Operation Red Card 2.0, a landmark international cooperation effort involving law enforcement agencies from 16 African countries, has been successful in combating transnational cybercrime. A total of 651 arrests were made across the 16 countries involved, with over $4.3 million recovered in illicit proceeds. The operation targeted networks behind high-yield investment scams, mobile money fraud, and fake loan apps. Law enforcement agencies from Africa worked together to dismantle these operations and bring those responsible to justice. International cooperation was crucial in the success of Operation Red Card 2.0, with INTERPOL providing key intelligence and global cybersecurity partners contributing critical insights. The operation has sent a strong message to those involved in transnational cybercrime that they will be held accountable for their actions. It highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating this growing threat and serves as a beacon of hope for law enforcement agencies across Africa and beyond.
INTERPOL's Operation Red Card 2.0, a landmark international cooperation effort involving law enforcement agencies from 16 African countries, has culminated in an unprecedented level of success in the fight against transnational cybercrime. The operation, which was carried out under the auspices of the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), received targeted support from the EU's Council of Europe's GLACY-e (Global Action on Cybercrime Enhanced) project, and was funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
The results of this operation have been nothing short of remarkable. In a staggering 651 arrests were made across the 16 countries involved, with authorities also recovering a substantial amount of illicit proceeds in excess of $4.3 million. These figures not only underscore the scale of the problem but also serve as a testament to the effectiveness of the international cooperation and coordination that has been put in place to tackle this growing threat.
The operation targeted networks behind high-yield investment scams, mobile money fraud, and fake loan apps, with law enforcement agencies from across Africa working together to dismantle these operations and bring those responsible to justice. The joint effort was also able to uncover a wide range of scam models, including phishing and fake crypto schemes in Nigeria, where authorities dismantled a major investment fraud ring that had been using social media accounts to perpetuate its operations.
In Kenya, 27 suspects were arrested behind fake investment offers promoted via messaging apps, while Côte d'Ivoire detained 58 people tied to abusive mobile loan scams. Nigerian authorities also made significant gains in the fight against cybercrime, arresting six hackers who had breached a telecom provider and were reselling stolen airtime on the black market.
INTERPOL played a crucial role in supporting the operation with key intelligence from global cybersecurity partners, providing critical insights that helped law enforcement agencies to stay one step ahead of the perpetrators. This level of cooperation is essential in tackling transnational cybercrime, which often involves complex networks and sophisticated tactics.
The impact of Operation Red Card 2.0 should not be underestimated. The operation has sent a strong message to those involved in transnational cybercrime that they will be held accountable for their actions. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation in combating this growing threat, and highlights the need for greater awareness and education among individuals and businesses about the risks associated with online scams.
Neal Jetton, INTERPOL's Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, has welcomed the results of Operation Red Card 2.0, stating that these organized cybercriminal syndicates inflict devastating financial and psychological harm on individuals, businesses, and entire communities with their false promises. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration in combating transnational cybercrime, encouraging all victims of cybercrime to reach out to law enforcement for help.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by transnational cybercrime, Operation Red Card 2.0 serves as a beacon of hope. It demonstrates that through international cooperation and coordination, we can make significant progress in tackling this complex threat. The success of this operation will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for law enforcement agencies across Africa and beyond.
In conclusion, Operation Red Card 2.0 has been a groundbreaking international effort to combat transnational cybercrime across Africa. The results of the operation have been nothing short of remarkable, with 651 arrests made and over $4.3 million recovered in illicit proceeds. This landmark cooperation has sent a strong message to those involved in transnational cybercrime that they will be held accountable for their actions, and highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating this growing threat.
Operation Red Card 2.0: A Groundbreaking International Effort to Combat Transnational Cybercrime Across Africa
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Operation-Red-Card-20-A-Groundbreaking-International-Effort-to-Combat-Transnational-Cybercrime-Across-Africa-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/188272/cyber-crime/red-card-2-0-interpol-busts-scam-networks-across-africa-seizes-millions.html
https://thehackernews.com/2026/02/interpol-operation-red-card-20-arrests.html
Published: Fri Feb 20 03:44:18 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
