Interpol Targets Online Casino Fraud in Africa With Mass Arrests and Major Asset Seizures
Interpol has announced the arrest of over 300 individuals in connection with cyber-enabled scams, including online casino and investment fraud, as part of a coordinated operation spanning multiple African nations.
Operation Red Card Uncovers Widespread Cybercrime
Conducted between November 2024 and February 2025, Operation Red Card was aimed at dismantling transnational cybercrime networks across Africa. The operation focused on a range of online scams—from mobile banking and investment fraud to deceptive activity on messaging apps and gambling websites. In total, more than 5,000 victims were identified.
“The success of Operation Red Card 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”, commented Neal Jetton, director of Interpol’s cybercrime directorate.
Nigerian Crackdown Exposes Sophisticated Online Casino Scams
Nigeria played a central role in the enforcement campaign. Police there arrested 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals, accused of operating sophisticated online casino and investment scams. Authorities revealed that the networks were multilingual and involved the conversion of proceeds into digital assets to mask financial trails.
Police noted that many of the suspects may have been trafficked and coerced into the schemes—mirroring criminal operations seen in parts of Southeast Asia, where human trafficking has been linked to scam centres with ties to illegal online gambling.
The Nigerian investigation led to the confiscation of substantial assets, including:
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26 vehicles
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16 houses
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39 land plots
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685 electronic devices
Seizures and Arrests Across South Africa, Zambia, and Rwanda
Beyond Nigeria, enforcement extended across several jurisdictions. In South Africa, officials seized over 1,000 SIM cards and 53 computer systems tied to suspected cybercriminal activities. Zambian police detained 14 individuals allegedly involved in phone hijacking schemes using malware.
Meanwhile in Rwanda, authorities arrested 45 individuals in a fraud ring responsible for stealing more than $305,000. Law enforcement recovered approximately $103,000 and seized nearly 300 devices as part of the investigation.
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