Interpol Arrests 83 in $260M Africa Crypto Crime Bust

The joint operation between Interpol and Afripol represents one of the most significant coordinated efforts to combat financial crime in Africa. Operation Catalyst resulted in 83 arrests across multiple African countries, with authorities seizing $600,000 of the $260 million in flagged illicit assets. The breakdown of arrests reveals the multifaceted nature of the criminal networks targeted: 21 individuals were arrested for terrorism-related offenses, 28 for fraud and money laundering, 16 for online scams, and 19 for the illicit use of virtual assets.

Private sector collaboration proved crucial to the operation’s success, with Binance, Moody’s, and Uppsala Security providing blockchain data and forensic tools that enabled authorities to track and analyze crypto flows. According to the Binance Investigations team, their support included “operational intelligence and analysis, supported by our forensic tools and data-sharing” to help disrupt what they described as a “major criminal operation.” This level of cooperation reflects a growing trend where cryptocurrency exchanges are becoming “one of the primary allies” for law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Among the most significant cases uncovered during Operation Catalyst was a crypto-based Ponzi scheme that posed as a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange. The scheme stole approximately $562 million from over 100,000 victims across at least 17 nations, including Nigeria, Cameroon, and Kenya. Investigators discovered that several high-value crypto wallets involved in this massive fraud were “potentially linked” to terrorism-financing activities, highlighting the dangerous intersection between financial crime and terrorist networks.

Another prominent case centered in Kenya involved an alleged money laundering operation that attempted to clean illicit funds through a legitimate virtual asset service provider. This case also demonstrated connections to terrorism financing, with 12 individuals identified as suspects and two arrests made so far. The involvement of stablecoins and coin mixers in such cases has complicated tracking efforts, as criminals increasingly adopt sophisticated techniques to obfuscate money flows in ransomware and extortion schemes.

The success of Operation Catalyst underscores the growing prevalence of cryptocurrency in African financial crime. According to Interpol’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, two-thirds of African member countries reported that cyber-related offenses account for a “medium to high” share of all crimes. In Western and Eastern Africa specifically, cybercrime constituted roughly 30% of all reported crime, indicating a significant shift in criminal methodology across the continent.

Nigeria has emerged as a particular hotspot for crypto-related fraud, with the country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) previously accusing corrupt politicians of hiding illicit wealth in cryptocurrency. An Interpol expert noted that “given the reduction in barriers to access cryptocurrency, criminals are increasingly able to adopt more sophisticated techniques to exploit cryptocurrency in other crimes.” This trend is particularly concerning given Africa’s rapid cryptocurrency adoption rates and the relative novelty of regulatory frameworks in many jurisdictions.

Despite the growing crypto crime wave, Interpol emphasizes that traditional financial systems remain the primary vehicle for most cybercrime. The agency’s expert explained that “many cases, in particular business email compromise cases, typically involve traditional bank transfer or fiat systems, while scams may exploit gift card systems.” This nuanced understanding of the criminal landscape helps law enforcement allocate resources effectively while recognizing that crypto crime represents an evolving, rather than dominant, threat vector.

The extensive involvement of private companies in Operation Catalyst signals a fundamental shift in how law enforcement combats financial crime in the digital age. Binance’s contribution to the operation reflects their broader commitment to supporting global law enforcement efforts. The exchange reported responding to nearly 65,000 law enforcement requests last year and serving more than 14,800 registered officials worldwide, while also delivering 100 law enforcement training sessions.

This level of public-private cooperation has become increasingly essential as criminal methodologies evolve. The Binance spokesperson emphasized that cryptocurrency exchanges are now critical partners in the international fight against crime, providing specialized expertise in blockchain analysis that traditional law enforcement agencies often lack. As criminal networks become more sophisticated in their use of digital assets, the continued collaboration between international law enforcement and industry experts will be crucial to maintaining the integrity of global financial systems.