Group-IB, a leading cybersecurity technology provider, has announced its contribution to INTERPOL’s “Operation Red Card,” a major international operation aimed at combating cybercrime across Africa.
The operation led to the arrest of 306 cybercriminals involved in banking, investment, and messaging scams, impacting over 5,000 victims.
Crackdown on fraudulent networks
Between November 2024 and February 2025, law enforcement agencies from several African countries — including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia — seized 1,842 devices used by cybercriminals to defraud individuals and businesses.
These scams included mobile banking fraud, investment schemes, and malicious messaging apps targeting unsuspecting victims.
In Rwanda, authorities dismantled a large-scale social engineering network that defrauded victims of over USD 305,000. Forty-five individuals were arrested, and law enforcement recovered USD 103,043 and seized 292 devices, preventing further fraud attempts.
Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia hit hard
In Nigeria, 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, were arrested for fraudulent investment schemes and illicit online casinos. Nigerian authorities also seized assets including 26 vehicles, 16 houses, and 39 plots of land.
In South Africa, 40 individuals were arrested in connection with a SIM box fraud scheme that facilitated SMS phishing campaigns. In Zambia, 14 individuals were arrested for device hijacking through phishing scams that infected victims’ phones with malware, allowing hackers access to banking apps and personal data.
Group-IB’s role in the operation
Group-IB’s Digital Crime Resistance Center (DCRC) for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey played a crucial role in uncovering the scale of the cybercriminal activities and assisting law enforcement with intelligence and digital evidence.
Group-IB’s High-Tech Crime Investigation Team provided key insights into the operations, helping authorities target and dismantle these fraudulent networks.
International cooperation
Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime, praised the operation’s success, stating, “The success of Operation Red Card demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime… The recovery of significant assets and devices, as well as the arrest of key suspects, sends a strong message to cybercriminals.”
Dmitry Volkov, CEO of Group-IB, also emphasized the importance of global collaboration: “The success of Operation Red Card is a testament to international collaboration… We are proud to have supported INTERPOL and local law enforcement agencies in these efforts.”
Operation Red Card highlights the continued global fight against cybercrime, with Group-IB’s technology playing an essential role in disrupting these malicious operations.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
