Two Nigerians have been arrested in separate investigations into cybercrime, including an international investment fraud scheme linked to more than $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds, as a multinational operation led to 1,462 arrests across 21 countries.
The arrests were made during Operation Serengeti III, conducted between June 29 and August 31, 2026, to dismantle cybercriminal networks involved in online fraud, ransomware, business email compromise and digital extortion.
According to information published on the website of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), one of the Nigerian cases involved a suspect allegedly linked to a large-scale phishing and business email compromise operation.
Investigators said the operation harvested software credentials and accumulated about 2.1 million email addresses. A luxury vehicle suspected to have been acquired with proceeds from criminal activities was also recovered.
In a separate investigation, another suspect was arrested over an international investment fraud scheme allegedly promoted through messaging applications.
INTERPOL disclosed that financial investigations traced more than $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds to the scheme, with a significant portion allegedly laundered through cryptocurrency transactions.
The agency did not disclose the identities of the suspects or provide further details about the individual cases.
Beyond the Nigerian arrests, Operation Serengeti III resulted in the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks and the recovery of more than $105 million in illicit funds.
Authorities also identified 65,929 victims targeted by cybercriminal networks, while financial investigations linked the criminal activities uncovered during the operation to losses exceeding $385 million.
The operation targeted a range of cyber-enabled offences, including online scams, digital extortion, ransomware attacks and schemes involving the compromise of business email accounts.
INTERPOL said private-sector partners provided intelligence, technical analysis and operational support that helped participating law enforcement agencies identify suspects, trace financial transactions and disrupt criminal infrastructure.
The organisation’s Director of Cybercrime, Neal Jetton, said the operation demonstrated the importance of coordinated international action against offences that transcend national borders.
“Operation Serengeti III reinforces a clear message: while cybercrime is increasingly borderless, international cooperation remains one of the most effective tools for disrupting criminal networks, recovering criminal assets and protecting communities from digital harm,” he said.
INTERPOL added that investigations were continuing, with authorities analysing seized digital evidence, tracing suspected criminal proceeds and working to identify other individuals connected to the networks.
Nigeria participated in the operation alongside 20 other countries, including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, the United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The operation forms part of broader international efforts to combat cybercrime, protect victims and strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies investigating digital offences and cross-border financial fraud.
