Uganda has become a significant hub in Africa's battle against cybercrime, with authorities arresting 365 foreign nationals linked to two transnational fraud rings. These rings were accused of running online investment and pension scams targeting victims across Asia. The arrests were part of an Interpol-coordinated operation that saw law enforcement agencies in 21 countries arrest 1,462 suspects and disrupt 10,909 malicious networks.
The Ugandan investigations uncovered sophisticated schemes that used call centres, scripted communications, fake trading platforms, and fraudulent websites to persuade pensioners to invest in non-existent financial opportunities. The crackdown highlights the growing complexity of cyber-enabled financial crime, as criminal networks exploit digital platforms to target victims across borders while concealing their identities and the movement of illicit proceeds.
The operation, dubbed Operation Serengeti III, ran from June 29 to August 31, 2026, targeting cyber-enabled fraud, ransomware, business email compromise, online scams, and digital extortion. Across the participating countries, investigators identified 65,929 victims targeted by cybercriminal networks, with financial investigations linking criminal activity to losses exceeding $385 million.
Interpol Director of Cybercrime Neal Jetton emphasized that cybercrime networks operate without regard for borders, exploiting technology to target victims on an unprecedented scale. He noted that international cooperation remains one of the most effective tools for disrupting criminal networks, recovering criminal assets, and protecting communities from digital harm.
Uganda accounted for about a quarter of the 1,462 arrests recorded during the operation, with authorities dismantling two fraud rings whose activities extended beyond the country. The networks operated rotating call centres through which suspects used scripted communications to convince victims that they were dealing with legitimate investment providers. Fake trading platforms and fraudulent websites helped reinforce the deception, making non-existent investment opportunities appear credible to potential investors.
The Ugandan police crime report for 2024 recorded 474 cybercrime cases, up from 245 in 2023, an increase of about 93.5 percent. Reported losses stood at Ush72.1 billion ($16.8 million), while only about Ush420 million ($98,000) was recovered. Interpol's African Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2026 points to an evolving threat landscape in which artificial intelligence is increasingly enabling cybercrime, while cyber-enabled financial losses continue to rise.
The operation received support from private-sector partners, including Group-IB, Kaspersky, Fortinet, Team Cymru, Uppsala Security, and Meta, which provided intelligence, technical analysis, and operational expertise. Interpol said several investigations remain active, with authorities continuing to identify additional suspects, trace illicit proceeds, and analyse digital evidence seized during the operation.
Key points
- - 365 foreign nationals were arrested in Uganda for their involvement in transnational fraud rings. - The operation resulted in the arrest of 1,462 suspects and the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks. - Interpol's operation highlights the growing complexity of cyber-enabled financial crime and the need for international cooperation to combat it.
