INTERPOL, AFRIPOL and Kaspersky are claiming success in a recent operation – Serengeti – targeting cybercriminals.

Kaspersky recently partnered with law enforcement agencies, INTERPOL and AFRIPOL in a joint effort to combat cybercrime across Africa.

This specific operation follows a recent five-year agreement Kasperksy signed with AFRIPOL to further strengthen its role in creating a more cybersafe climate on the continent.

During the Serengeti operation, conducted from September 2 to October 31, more than 1 000 individuals were arrested.

The suspects were linked various cybercrimes, including ransomware, business email compromise, digital extortion and online scams, which resulted in nearly $193 million in financial losses worldwide.

According to INTERPOL’s 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report, these cyber crimes are prominent threats.

Kaspersky said that it has contributed to the operation by sharing information on threat actors, data on ransomware attacks and malware targeting the region, as well as up-to-date indicators of compromise for malicious infrastructure across Africa.

Valdecy Urquiza, secretary general of INTERPOL said: “Operation Serengeti shows what we can achieve by working together, and these arrests alone will save countless potential future victims from real personal and financial pain.”

Ambassador Jalel Chelba, AFRIPOL’s acting executive director added: “Through Serengeti, AFRIPOL has significantly enhanced support for law enforcement in African Union Member States. We’ve facilitated key arrests and deepened insights into cybercrime trends. Our focus now includes emerging threats like AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques.”