Cybercrime has no borders — and neither should the fight against it. In a groundbreaking move, INTERPOL, AFRIPOL, and private-sector partners like Binance joined forces under Operation Serengeti 2.0 to dismantle some of the most sophisticated cybercrime networks across Africa. The results? Over $97 million recovered, 1,209 criminals arrested, and thousands of malicious infrastructures shut down.
A Coordinated Strike Across Africa
Between June and August 2025, authorities executed one of the largest cybercrime crackdowns ever recorded. Backed by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, the operation targeted high-priority threats highlighted in the Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report — including ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and crypto scams.
Key outcomes included:
1,209 arrests tied to attacks on 88,000 victims
$97.4M recovered from stolen funds and seized assets
11,432 malicious infrastructures dismantled
25 illegal crypto mining centers taken down in Angola, freeing stolen energy resources
$300M crypto investment scam in Zambia disrupted, protecting 65,000 victims
This wasn’t just a win for law enforcement — it was a victory for communities across Africa. In Angola, for instance, 45 illicit power stations worth $37M were seized and redirected to support citizens instead of fueling criminal mining farms.
The Cybercrime Atlas: A Blueprint for Unity
Behind the operation stood the Cybercrime Atlas Initiative, a global collaboration hosted by the World Economic Forum. With more than 30 major companies — including Binance, Microsoft, and Fortinet — the Atlas connects private-sector expertise with public-sector authority.
Binance’s contribution has been especially impactful. Through weekly threat-hunting sessions, its security teams provided actionable intelligence and helped INTERPOL investigators pinpoint and dismantle cybercriminal infrastructures. As INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza put it:
“With more contributions and shared expertise, the results keep growing in scale and impact. This global network is stronger than ever, delivering real outcomes and safeguarding victims.”
OSINT: The Silent Weapon
A cornerstone of Operation Serengeti 2.0 was Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) — using publicly available data to trace, map, and connect cybercriminal activities across jurisdictions.
In Angola, OSINT revealed large-scale illegal mining farms draining energy resources.
In Zambia, investigators used OSINT to untangle a $300M crypto scam that spanned continents.
This method sidesteps the usual roadblocks of international law enforcement, proving that intelligence sharing and transparency are just as critical as enforcement power.
Strength in Collaboration
Cybercriminals thrive on scale — but so does cooperation. Operation Serengeti 2.0 shows that when law enforcement, private enterprises, and global organizations align, the impact is exponential.
What once relied on ad hoc responses is now evolving into long-term strategic partnerships, with frameworks like the Cybercrime Atlas ensuring sustained collaboration.
Building a Safer Digital Future
For Binance, this is about more than just one operation. It reflects a long-term commitment to a safer digital economy. By contributing intelligence, technology, and expertise, Binance is helping build a united front against borderless cybercrime.
As digital economies expand, so too does the responsibility to protect them. The success of Operation Serengeti 2.0 proves one thing: the future of cybersecurity lies in global collaboration.