Operation Red Card 2.0 resulted in 651 arrests and over $4.3 million recovered as INTERPOL and African law enforcement agencies dismantled major cybercrime networks across 16 countries
Trump and Nigeria appeared headed for a clash over bogus claims of a Christian massacre. Now Nigeria is getting US security help — and using it to fight its own security battles https://t.co/BNglseSM0Z pic.twitter.com/77tmjhmxps
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 19, 2026
An international cybercrime crackdown coordinated by INTERPOL has led to the arrest of 651 suspects and the recovery of more than $4.3 million across 16 African countries during Operation Red Card 2.0, conducted between December 8, 2025, and January 30, 2026. The operation targeted syndicates behind investment scams, mobile money fraud, and digital lending schemes, uncovering more than $45 million in losses affecting 1,247 victims and resulting in the seizure of 2,341 devices and the dismantling of 1,442 malicious digital infrastructures.
Nigeria, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire emerged as major focal points, with Nigerian authorities dismantling a large fraud network, shutting down over 1,000 fraudulent social media accounts, and arresting suspects involved in telecom system breaches. Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime, said, “These organized cybercriminal syndicates inflict devastating financial and psychological harm on individuals, businesses and entire communities with their false promises,” adding that, “Operation Red Card highlights the importance of collaboration when combatting transnational cybercrime.”
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