Interpol has dealt a major blow to international cybercrime networks through Operation Sentinel , a coordinated initiative that led to the arrest of 574 people and the recovery of $3 million in funds linked to Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams, extortion, and ransomware attacks that had hit businesses and organizations in multiple countries.
The operation highlights the critical role of international cooperation in an era where cybercrime is evolving faster than ever, leveraging technological tools, anonymity and cross-border infrastructure.
A month of intensive operations
Operation Sentinel took place between October 27 and November 27, with the participation of law enforcement authorities from 19 countries, mainly on the African continent. During the operation, authorities managed to neutralize more than 6,000 malicious links, which were used for phishing attacks and malware distribution.
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Particularly important is the fact that experts decrypted six different ransomware variants, offering critical data recovery tools to victims and limiting the possibility of further extortion.
According to Interpol, the cases examined as part of the operation are linked to financial losses exceeding $21 million, reflecting the true scale of the threat.
Key successes across Africa
Interpol has published specific examples of successful interventions. In Senegal , authorities prevented a $7.9 million money transfer in a BEC case targeting an oil company (by promptly freezing bank accounts).
In Ghana, a financial institution was hit by a ransomware attack that cost $120,000 and encrypted 100TB of data. Analysis of the malware led to the creation of a decryption tool and the recovery of 30TB of data, and arrests.
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The Ghana-Nigeria case was particularly complex , where a cross-border fraud that imitated well-known fast food chains was dismantled. More than 200 victims lost over $400,000, while the operation resulted in ten arrests, the seizure of over 100 devices and the deactivation of 30 servers.
Mass arrests and immediate interventions
In Benin, authorities made 106 arrests, disabled 43 malicious domains, and closed 4,318 social media accounts used for fraud.
In Cameroon, a rapid response to an online vehicle sales scam led to the identification of a compromised server and the immediate freezing of bank funds within hours, preventing further financial losses.
Interpol Statements: Growing Threat, Increasing Cooperation
Neal Jetton, Interpol’s Director of Cybercrime, said : “The scale and sophistication of cyberattacks in Africa are rapidly increasing, with critical sectors such as finance and energy.” He added that the results of Operation Sentinel demonstrate the commitment of local authorities and the importance of international cooperation.
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The decisive role of the private sector
Cybersecurity companies such as Team Cymru , The Shadowserver Foundation , Trend Micro , TRM Labs and Uppsala Security also contributed significantly . These organizations helped identify suspicious IP addresses, map malicious infrastructure and freeze proceeds from cybercriminal activities .
Continuous operations, constant threat
Operation Sentinel follows a series of major Interpol operations. In August, Operation Serengeti 2.0 led to 1,209 arrests and the recovery of $97.4 million, while in March, Operation Red Card dismantled fraud involving more than 5,000 victims.
The message is clear: cybercrime remains an ever-evolving threat, but coordinated action, expertise and international cooperation can bring tangible results.
Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
