INTERPOL Arrests 574 in Africa; Ukrainian Ransomware Affiliate Pleads Guilty

"A law enforcement operation coordinated by INTERPOL has led to the recovery of $3 million and the arrest of 574 suspects by authorities from 19 countries, amidst a continued crackdown on cybercrime networks in Africa. The coordinated effort, named Operation Sentinel, took place between October 27 and November 27, 2025, and mainly focused on business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion, and ransomware on the continent."

"Over the course of the initiative, more than 6,000 malicious links were taken down and six distinct ransomware variants were decrypted. The names of the ransomware families were not disclosed. The investigated incidents were linked to estimated financial losses exceeding $21 million, INTERPOL added. Multiple suspects have been arrested in connection with a ransomware attack targeting an unnamed Ghanaian financial institution that encrypted 100 terabytes of data and stole about $120,000."

"In addition, Ghanaian authorities took down a cyber fraud network operating across Ghana and Nigeria that defrauded more than 200 victims of over $400,000 using well-designed websites and mobile apps, which impersonated popular fast-food brands to collect payments for fake orders. As part of the effort, 10 individuals were apprehended, 100 digital devices were seized, and 30 fraudulent servers were taken offline."

Operation Sentinel ran October 27–November 27, 2025, focusing on business email compromise, digital extortion, and ransomware across Africa. Authorities from 19 countries participated, targeting cybercrime networks in finance, energy, and other sectors. The operation recovered $3 million and led to 574 arrests. More than 6,000 malicious links were taken down and six distinct ransomware variants were decrypted. Investigated incidents were linked to estimated losses exceeding $21 million. Ghanaian investigators arrested multiple suspects over a ransomware attack that encrypted 100 terabytes and stole about $120,000. Ghanaian and Nigerian fraud networks bilked over 200 victims of $400,000 via fake branded websites and apps. Benin dismantled 43 domains and 4,318 social accounts, resulting in 106 arrests.

Read at The Hacker News