INTERPOL arrests two cybercrime suspects in Nigeria

INTERPOL has announced the arrest of two individuals involved in cybercrime operations in Nigeria, as part of Operation Serengeti III. The investigation, conducted across 21 countries from June 29 to August 31, 2026, led to the apprehension of a suspect involved in a phishing and business email compromise scheme that collected approximately 2.1 million email addresses.

Additionally, authorities recovered a luxury vehicle believed to have been purchased with illicit funds. Another suspect was arrested in connection with an international investment fraud scheme promoted through messaging apps, resulting in the seizure of over USD 2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds. The majority of the funds were laundered using cryptocurrency transactions.

The operation, which targeted cyber-enabled fraud, ransomware, business email compromise, online scams, and digital extortion, resulted in 1,462 arrests, the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks, and the recovery of more than $105 million in illicit funds. INTERPOL's Director of Cybercrime, Neal Jetton, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, noting that cybercriminal networks operate across borders and exploit technology to target victims on a large scale.