INTERPOL's Operation Sentinel: A Major Crackdown on Cybercrime in Africa

A significant law enforcement initiative, dubbed Operation Sentinel, has resulted in the arrest of 574 suspects across 19 African countries and the recovery of approximately $3 million linked to cybercrime activities. Conducted between October 27 and November 27, 2025, this operation was coordinated by INTERPOL and targeted prevalent cyber threats, including business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion, and ransomware. The participating nations included Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

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Operation Sentinel led to the dismantling of over 6,000 malicious links and the decryption of six distinct ransomware variants. Investigators uncovered incidents linked to estimated financial losses exceeding $21 million. Notable cases included a foiled BEC attack in Senegal targeting a major petroleum company, where fraudsters impersonated executives to authorize a fraudulent wire transfer of $7.9 million. Swift action by Senegalese authorities prevented the transfer by freezing the destination accounts.

INTERPOL operation dismantles cybercrime networks across 19 African countries, 574 suspects arrested in crackdown

In Ghana, a ransomware attack disrupted a financial institution by encrypting 100 terabytes of data and demanding a ransom of approximately $120,000. Ghanaian investigators successfully developed a decryption tool that recovered nearly 30 terabytes of data. Additionally, authorities dismantled a cyber-fraud network operating between Ghana and Nigeria, which defrauded over 200 victims of more than $400,000 through fake websites impersonating popular fast-food brands.

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The operation underscores the escalating threat of cybercrime in Africa, particularly against critical sectors such as finance and energy. INTERPOL's Director of Cybercrime, Neal Jetton, noted that the scale and sophistication of cyberattacks are increasing rapidly. The 2025 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report indicated that cyber-related offenses account for a medium-to-high share of all crimes in two-thirds of surveyed African countries.

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Operation Sentinel was made possible through collaboration with private sector partners, including Team Cymru, The Shadowserver Foundation, Trend Micro, TRM Labs, and Uppsala Security, which provided essential technical support. The operation was conducted under the framework of the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and was funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, alongside the Global Action on Cybercrime Enhanced (GLACY-e) project.

INTERPOL operation dismantles cybercrime networks across 19 African countries, 574 suspects arrested in crackdown

While the operation has been praised for its achievements, some experts caution that the growing sophistication of cybercriminal networks poses ongoing challenges. The need for sustained intelligence sharing, capacity building, and public-private collaboration remains critical to effectively combat these evolving threats.

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Operation Sentinel represents a significant step in the fight against cybercrime in Africa, showcasing the potential for international cooperation to disrupt criminal networks. As digital threats continue to grow, the commitment of African law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with global partners, will be essential to protect livelihoods and secure sensitive data across the continent.

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