INTERPOL Recovers Over $105 Million in Illicit Funds in 21 African Countries, Including Cameroon

By Tata Mbunwe

A major operation by world’s largest international police organization, INTERPOL, has led to the arrest of 1,462 suspects, the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks, and the recovery of more than $105 million (FCFA 61.4 billion) in illicit funds across 21 African countries, including Cameroon.

Operation Serengeti III, conducted between June 29 and August 31, 2026, targeted online scams, digital extortion, cyber-enabled fraud, ransomware and business email compromise (BEC).

The organization identified 65,929 victims targeted by cybercriminal networks and financial investigations linked criminal activity to losses exceeding $385 million.

INTERPOL’s African Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2026 indicates that criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence for cybercrime activity in Africa.

“Cybercrime networks operate without regard for borders, exploiting technology to target victims on an unprecedented scale,” INTERPOL said in a statement published Thursday, October 22.

“Operation Serengeti III reinforces a clear message: while cybercrime is increasingly borderless, international cooperation remains one of the most effective tools for disrupting criminal networks, recovering criminal assets and protecting communities from digital harm.”

Participating countries included Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The revelation coincides with a high-level INTERPOL visit to Cameroon. INTERPOL President General Inspector Lucas Philippe arrived in Yaoundé on Sunday, October 18, for a working visit aimed at strengthening police cooperation in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime.

The visit, scheduled to run until October 21, was Philippe’s first to Africa since his election to head the organisation in November 2025.