INTERPOL, AFRIPOL Arrest Suspects in $562 Million Crypto Fraud Linked to Nigeria

INTERPOL, AFRIPOL Arrest Suspects in $562 Million Crypto Fraud Linked to Nigeria

A joint international operation led by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL has resulted in the arrest of several suspects in Nigeria connected to a $562 million cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 17 countries.

The two-month operation, dubbed “Operation Catalyst,” ran from July to September 2025 and targeted financial crimes linked to terrorism financing and money laundering across multiple African nations.

Operation Catalyst: Africa’s Largest Anti-Financial Crime Crackdown

According to INTERPOL, Operation Catalyst is the first coordinated initiative bringing together financial crime, cybercrime, and counter-terrorism units from across Africa.

The operation led to 83 arrests across six countries — including Nigeria, Kenya, and Angola — while investigators identified over 160 persons of interest and tracked $260 million in illicit funds, both in fiat and cryptocurrencies.

Nigeria: 11 Arrested for Terrorism and Crypto Fraud

In Nigeria, authorities confirmed the arrest of 11 suspected terrorists, including alleged senior members of extremist groups, as part of the joint effort.

Investigators uncovered links between these suspects and a global crypto Ponzi network that posed as a legitimate trading platform but was in fact funding terrorist operations.

INTERPOL reported that the fraudulent network spanned at least 17 countries, including Kenya and Cameroon, and impacted more than 100,000 victims worldwide.

“Several high-value crypto wallets tied to the operation are under forensic review,” INTERPOL said. “Authorities are tracing transactions suspected of being funneled into terrorism-related activities.”

Mastermind on the Run: Red Notice Issued

A Red Notice has been issued for one of the scheme’s alleged masterminds, accused of scamming victims of about $5 million through a maze of crypto wallets and exchange platforms designed to obscure money trails.

Across all participating countries, more than 15,000 individuals and entities were screened, leading to the seizure of approximately $600,000 in cash and assets. Further asset recovery efforts are ongoing.

Global Collaboration Strengthened

INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza hailed the operation as a milestone in cross-border law enforcement, emphasizing that enhanced intelligence sharing is essential to combating terrorism financing.

“Operation Catalyst marks the first time that financial crime, cybercrime, and counter-terrorism units have worked jointly to disrupt terror financing across Africa,” Urquiza said.
“By pooling intelligence and resources, we can effectively block the financial flows supporting extremist networks.”

Similarly, AFRIPOL Executive Director Ambassador Jalel Chelba highlighted the importance of African cooperation in addressing sophisticated cyber and financial crimes.

“This operation proves that when African security agencies unite, they can deliver a coordinated and powerful response to evolving security threats,” Chelba noted.

Private Sector Support and Technological Edge

Operation Catalyst received data and cyber intelligence support from key private-sector partners, including Binance, Moody’s, and Uppsala Security — marking a growing collaboration between law enforcement and tech companies to combat crypto-based financial crimes.

Background: Africa’s Ongoing Fight Against Cybercrime

Earlier in August 2025, INTERPOL coordinated another major sweep — Operation Serengeti 2.0 — leading to the arrest of 1,209 suspected cybercriminals and the dismantling of over 11,400 malicious online infrastructures.

That operation spanned 18 African nations and the United Kingdom, recovering $97.4 million in stolen funds linked to online scams, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC) schemes.

These initiatives reflect a new era of digital policing in Africa — one that leverages global partnerships, data intelligence, and financial transparency to dismantle criminal networks operating across borders.

Conclusion

The success of Operation Catalyst signals a major leap forward in Africa’s fight against crypto fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing.
With more arrests and asset recoveries expected, the collaboration between INTERPOL, AFRIPOL, and international tech firms demonstrates that criminals can no longer hide behind the anonymity of digital currencies.

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