In a landmark collaboration, Kaspersky has partnered with INTERPOL and AFRIPOL for Operation Serengeti, a continent-wide initiative targeting cybercrime in Africa. The operation led to the arrest of over 1,000 individuals involved in cyber offenses such as ransomware attacks and business email compromise (BEC) schemes, which collectively caused nearly $193 million in global financial losses.
Africa’s rapid digital transformation has made it a prime target for cybercriminals. Ransomware attacks are among the most pervasive threats, targeting critical sectors such as infrastructure, finance, and manufacturing. In the first ten months of 2024 alone, Kaspersky detected more than 165,000 ransomware attacks across the continent. Other prevalent threats include spyware and password-stealing malware.
Operation Serengeti, conducted between September 2 and October 31, dismantled 134,089 malicious networks linked to cybercrimes, including ransomware operations, digital extortion, and online scams. These threats were highlighted in INTERPOL’s 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report as critical challenges facing the region.
Kaspersky played a pivotal role in the operation by providing intelligence on cybercriminal groups, data on ransomware attacks, and indicators of compromise (IoCs) to aid in dismantling malicious infrastructure. The operation also exposed the presence of Grandoreiro, a Brazilian banking trojan, and ransomware families such as LockBit, Rhysida, and Medusa, which have been targeting African organizations.
“From multi-level marketing scams to large-scale credit card fraud, the growing volume and sophistication of cyberattacks are alarming. Operation Serengeti demonstrates the power of collaboration in combating cybercrime. While this is just the beginning, the arrests will prevent countless potential victims from financial and personal harm,” said Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of INTERPOL.
“Through Serengeti, AFRIPOL has significantly enhanced support for law enforcement in African Union Member States. We’ve facilitated key arrests and deepened our understanding of emerging threats like AI-driven malware,” added Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Acting Executive Director of AFRIPOL.
Kaspersky emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in tackling Africa’s evolving cybersecurity challenges.
“We are proud to support INTERPOL and AFRIPOL in their mission to prevent cybercrime across Africa. Strengthening regional cybersecurity resilience is essential, and Kaspersky remains committed to fostering a safer digital environment on the continent,” said Yuliya Shlychkova, Vice President, Global Public Affairs at Kaspersky.
This operation builds on Kaspersky’s long-standing partnership with INTERPOL and AFRIPOL. The company recently signed a five-year cooperation agreement with AFRIPOL to share critical data on local cyber threats and trends, further reinforcing Africa’s defense against cybercrime.