INTERPOL cybercrime update: Africa operation leads to arrests and recoveries

INTERPOL’s latest Africa-wide operation has led to more than 1,200 arrests, the dismantling of over 11,000 scam operations and the recovery of $97 million in stolen funds. The crackdown, known as Operation Serengeti 2.0, highlights the growing focus on cybercrime, illegal cryptocurrency activity and cross-border cooperation between Chinese and African authorities.

We have previously written extensively about developments to INTERPOL’s initiatives to enhance its transnational financial crime fighting capabilities, at both the domestic and international levels.

Tracking INTERPOL’s broader efforts, we have previously detailed the organisation’s collaboration with Indian and Chinese enforcement agencies to enhance international cooperation, and with African law enforcement to disrupt criminal finances by way of the INTERPOL Silver Notice. We have also noted how cybercrime in two-thirds of African countries is on the rise.

Finally, we have also written about a recent high-level meeting between INTERPOL and China’s Ministry of Public Security focused on expanding cross-border collaboration in areas such as telecom fraud, asset recovery, fugitive repatriation and terrorism. It has also been reported that the Chinese authorities continue to use the INTERPOL Red Notice to locate individuals suspected of wrongdoing.

Most recently we discussed an INTERPOL cybercrime operation in Africa targeting scams involving crypto and a meeting to discuss organised crime across Africa. In another article, we summarised INTERPOL’s recent activities across India, China and Africa.

Latest INTERPOL operation involved extensive actions across Africa

Operation Serengeti 2.0 took place from June to August and involved INTERPOL working with African authorities in numerous African countries.

The operation’s highlights included:

• The arrest in August of 60 Chinese nationals for illegal cryptocurrency mining in Angola.
• The arrest of 1,209 alleged cybercriminals, the closing down of more than 11,000 scam operations and the recovery by police of over $97 million in stolen funds in 18 African countries.
• The targeting of so-called “high-harm and high-impact” cybercrimes, which include ransomware, online scams and business email compromise operations. All of these were identified as significant risks in the latest INTERPOL Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report.

What does this mean?

With regard to investigations against individuals, the potential for enhanced information sharing (particularly to or from China and Africa) and potentially easier access to a broader scope of evidence may ultimately result in charges against those who are based in the UK, extradition requests being issued against those based abroad, or INTERPOL Red Notices leading more readily to extradition proceedings.

Therefore, if you have been engaged in business transactions and are concerned about potential liability, or if you have unresolved financial matters (even in the form of an outstanding civil dispute) and you suspect that you may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red Notice, you should seek expert legal advice immediately.

How Gherson can help

Those who are concerned that they may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red (or Blue) Notice or diffusion, should take heed.

Gherson Solicitors continue to receive requests for expert advice and assistance from those who believe they may have outstanding financial issues. Our advice tackles:

1. How best to approach a possible INTERPOL notice;
2. Preparing for potential criminal proceedings or an extradition request;
3. Preparing for a situation where a civil matter or commercial dispute could be used to initiate bogus criminal proceedings; and
4. Exploring the possibility of instigating civil litigation proceedings to recover any misappropriated assets.

Gherson have written a series of blogs designed to assist those who have reason to believe they might be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Blue and a Red Notice:

• INTERPOL and Red Notice Challenges
• How to Remove an INTERPOL Red Notice
• INTERPOL Red Notices and Extradition
• How do I know if I am subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice?

Gherson have over 36 years of experience in assisting with all aspects of INTERPOL, Red Notice challenges and extradition. If you would like to speak to us in respect of any of the issues raised in this blog or about your specific circumstances, do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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