Doha: The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has arrested 1,209 individuals during its targeting of cybercrime networks in several African countries.

According to Qatar News Agency, INTERPOL announced in a statement Friday that it had carried out an operation targeting cybercrime networks in Africa between June and August, dubbed "Serengeti 2.0," which resulted in the arrest of 1,209 individuals and the recovery of approximately $100 million.

INTERPOL noted that the operation involved 18 African countries and the United Kingdom, and was coordinated with its offices on the continent. It said that it identified a total of approximately 88,000 victims, recovered a total of $97.4 million, and dismantled 11,432 facilities used for what it described as "malicious" purposes.

The Angolan authorities closed 25 cryptocurrency mining centers in this operation, where foreign operators were approving illegal transactions. The seized equipment was estimated to be worth approximately $37 million, and authorities in Luanda intend to use the proceeds to finance the electricity distribution network in some areas.

It also revealed that investigators in Zambia dismantled a network responsible for an online investment scam that affected 65,000 victims, who lost a total of $300 million. Meanwhile, investigations in Cote d'Ivoire revealed that one of the oldest online frauds, inheritance scam, continues to generate significant revenue for criminal organizations.

INTERPOL confirmed that it will continue to track online criminal networks operating in Africa, especially given their increasing number year after year.