INTERPOL nabs two suspects in Nigeria over $2.4m fraud

The International Criminal Police Organisation has arrested two suspects in Nigeria. This was part of separate investigations into cybercrime, including a scheme linked to over $2.4 million in suspected fraud.

The arrests were announced in a statement about Operation Serengeti III, which focuses on cybercrime enforcement.

In a statement on INTERPOL’s website obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday, the agency said the operation took place between June 29 and August 31, 2026. Law enforcement agencies from 21 countries took part in this effort.

The statement noted that Nigerian authorities arrested one suspect involved in a large-scale phishing and business email compromise. This operation collected software credentials and gathered around 2.1 million email addresses.

INTERPOL added that investigators found a luxury car believed to have been bought with money from this crime.

In a different investigation, INTERPOL said Nigerian authorities arrested another suspect linked to an international investment fraud scheme. This scheme was promoted through messaging apps.

PUNCH Metro noticed that the names of the two suspects were not mentioned in the statement.

Financial investigations connected the fraud scheme to the movement of over $2.4 million in suspected criminal money. Much of this money was reportedly laundered through cryptocurrency transactions.

The statement said, "In Nigeria, authorities arrested a suspect behind a large-scale phishing and business email compromise operation that harvested software credentials and amassed approximately 2.1 million email addresses. Investigators also recovered a luxury vehicle suspected to have been purchased with criminal proceeds."

Another part of the statement read, "A separate Nigerian investigation targeted an international investment fraud scheme promoted via messaging apps, leading to the arrest of a suspect. Financial investigations revealed the movement of more than $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds, much of which was laundered through cryptocurrency transactions."

Operation Serengeti III aimed at tackling cyber-enabled fraud, ransomware, business email compromise, online scams, and digital extortion. The operation saw law enforcement from 21 countries arrest 1,462 suspects.

It also disrupted 10,909 harmful networks and recovered over $105 million in illegal funds. Authorities identified 65,929 victims targeted by cybercriminals. Financial investigations linked these activities to losses over $385 million.

The operation had support from private-sector partners who provided important information, technical analysis, and expertise. This helped investigators find targets, map out criminal networks, and support ongoing investigations.

INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime, Neal Jetton, remarked that cybercrime networks use technology to target victims across borders.

"Operation Serengeti III sends a strong message: while cybercrime crosses borders, international cooperation is one of the best ways to disrupt criminal networks, recover stolen assets, and protect communities from digital threats," he said.

The statement concluded that several investigations from the operation are still ongoing. Authorities are working to find more suspects, trace illegal funds, and analyze the digital evidence they have collected.

According to INTERPOL, Nigeria was among the countries taking part, alongside Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.