Kaspersky aids INTERPOL in crackdown on cybercrime across Africa

In an important stride toward tackling cybercrime across the African continent, Kaspersky has actively participated in a landmark operation spearheaded by INTERPOL that has led to the arrest of more than 300 individuals involved in diverse criminal activities.

Dubbed Operation Red Card, this initiative, which ran from November 2024 to February 2025, targeted cross-border cybercriminal networks that inflict considerable harm on individuals and businesses alike.

Operation Red Card was executed through INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and saw cooperation from law enforcement agencies in seven African nations: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia.

The operation culminated in the apprehension of 306 suspects and the seizure of 1,842 devices utilized in cybercrimes ranging from mobile banking fraud to investment and messaging app scams.

The groundwork for this extensive operation included a critical exchange of threat intelligence data enriched by the collaborative efforts of INTERPOL and its private sector partners, including Kaspersky. Notably, Kaspersky provided insights from its analysis of a malicious Android application that targeted users in various African countries, alongside related infrastructural data.

• South Africa: Local authorities arrested 40 individuals and confiscated over 1,000 SIM cards, alongside 53 desktops and towers linked to a sophisticated SIM box fraud operation, widely used for SMS phishing attacks.
• Nigeria: The Nigerian police arrested 130 individuals, 113 of whom were foreign nationals, for their alleged roles in cyber-enabled scams, including online casino and investment fraud. The suspects reportedly converted their illicit gains into digital assets, complicating investigative efforts. 
• Zambia: Authorities detained 14 members of a syndicate that hacked into victims' smartphones using malicious links. This scam allowed hackers to gain access to messaging apps and banking information, which they exploited to extend the reach of their fraudulent activities. 
• Rwanda: Rwandan police arrested 45 members of a network involved in social engineering scams that defrauded victims of over USD 305,000 in 2024. Their methods included impersonating telecom employees and creating false 'jackpot' win scenarios to acquire personal banking details.

Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, lauded the accomplishments of Operation Red Card, stating: "The success of this operation demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, which knows no borders and can have devastating effects on individuals and communities. The recovery of significant assets and devices, as well as the arrest of key suspects, sends a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished.”

Yuliya Shlychkova, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Kaspersky, expressed pride in the collaborative effort with INTERPOL, remarking that the evolving cyber threat landscape in Africa necessitates dialogue and cooperation between public and private sectors. “The Red Card operation is a notable example of such cooperation, showcasing how the expertise of private companies, coupled with the extensive investigative capacities of law enforcement, can pave the way for a more cyber-resilient environment,” she said.

This operation underscores Kaspersky's ongoing commitment to combatting cybercrime in Africa. The company has a robust history of collaboration with INTERPOL, having supported two editions of the Africa Cyber Surge operations and recently contributing to a joint action with AFRIPOL, further solidifying their role in promoting cybersecurity in the region.

IOL