Interpol arrests more than 1,000 suspects in Africa amid cybercrime crackdown

Interpol arrested 1,006 suspects in Africa during a two-month operation to crack down on cybercrime (Laurent Cipriani/AP)

Interpol arrested 1,006 suspects in Africa during a two-month operation to crack down on cybercrime that has affected tens of thousands of victims, including some who were trafficked, and caused millions in financial damage, the global police organisation said on Tuesday.

Operation Serengeti, a joint operation with Afripol, the African Union’s police agency, ran from September 2 to October 31 in 19 African countries and targeted criminals behind ransomware, business email compromise, digital extortion and online scams, the agency said in a statement.