Hacker
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According to an INTERPOL report, Kenyan hackers reportedly stole Sh 1.1 billion through a massive cybercrime operation this year.
An extensive INTERPOL investigation conducted between September and October 2024 exposes a complex network of cybercriminals primarily based in Kenya, who successfully orchestrated a massive financial theft amounting to Sh 1.1 billion. The investigation reveal a meticulously planned cyber heist wherein hackers systematically manipulated banking system security protocols using fraudulent scripts. The stolen funds were rapidly transferred to companies located in strategically chosen jurisdictions, including the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and China.
Digital asset institutions with multi-jurisdictional regulatory frameworks became conduits for redistributing the illicitly obtained money. As part of a broader coordinated effort named Operation Serengeti, security personnel from 19 African countries collaborated to dismantle extensive criminal networks specializing in various forms of digital malfeasance. The operation has resulted in a significant breakthrough, with 1,006 arrests and the systematic dismantling of 134,089 malicious digital infrastructures and networks. Investigators have identified over 35,000 victims worldwide, with financial losses approaching Sh 24 billion.
The investigation's success is predicated on unprecedented cooperation between public and private sector partners. Internet Service Providers played a critical role by sharing intelligence, supporting forensic analysis, and providing continuous technical support to secure vulnerable digital infrastructure. INTERPOL emphasizes the importance of round-the-clock assistance in patching system vulnerabilities and protecting critical technological ecosystems.
Specific regional operations yielded notable results. In Senegal, authorities apprehended eight individuals, including five Chinese nationals, connected to an online scheme that defrauded 1,811 victims of approximately Sh 777 million. Forensic searches of the suspects' residences uncovered extensive evidence, including over 900 SIM cards, substantial cash reserves, communication devices, and victims' identification documents.
Similar enforcement actions occurred across multiple jurisdictions. In Nigeria, law enforcement arrested an individual responsible for running elaborate online investment scams, specifically targeting victims through cryptocurrency-related false promises. Angola witnessed the disruption of an international criminal group operating a virtual casino that systematically defrauded Brazilian and Nigerian gamblers through sophisticated online platforms.