INTERPOL Strikes in Nigeria: Two Suspects Arrested in Alleged $2.4m Fraud Scandal

The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has announced the arrest of two suspects in Nigeria over separate cybercrime investigations, including an international investment fraud scheme linked to more than $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds.

The arrests were disclosed in a statement on Operation Serengeti III, a multinational law enforcement operation conducted between June 29 and August 31, 2026, across 21 countries.

According to INTERPOL, one investigation in Nigeria led to the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in a large-scale phishing and business email compromise operation that harvested software credentials and collected approximately 2.1 million email addresses.

Investigators also recovered a luxury vehicle suspected to have been purchased with proceeds from criminal activity.

In a separate case, Nigerian authorities arrested another suspect linked to an international investment fraud scheme allegedly promoted through messaging applications.

INTERPOL said financial investigations traced the movement of more than $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds, much of which was allegedly laundered through cryptocurrency transactions.

The organisation did not disclose the identities of the two suspects or provide details of their expected arraignment.

Operation records 1,462 arrests

The Nigerian arrests formed part of the wider Operation Serengeti III, which targeted cyber-enabled fraud, ransomware, business email compromise, online scams and digital extortion.

INTERPOL reported that the operation resulted in 1,462 arrests across participating countries and the disruption of 10,909 malicious networks. Authorities also recovered more than $105 million in illicit funds.

The operation identified 65,929 potential victims targeted by cybercriminal networks, while investigations linked the criminal activities uncovered to financial losses exceeding $385 million.

The figures reflect the broader results of the multinational operation and should not be interpreted as losses or recoveries attributable solely to Nigeria.

INTERPOL highlights cross-border cooperation

Commenting on the operation, INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime, Neal Jetton, stressed the importance of international cooperation in investigating criminal networks that exploit digital technology to target victims across national borders.

He said coordinated enforcement efforts could help disrupt criminal networks, recover illicit assets and protect communities from online threats.

The operation also benefited from support and intelligence sharing involving private-sector partners, which assisted investigators in identifying targets, mapping criminal networks and advancing investigations.

INTERPOL said several investigations remain ongoing, with authorities continuing efforts to identify additional suspects, trace suspected criminal proceeds and analyse digital evidence.

The arrests underscore the challenges facing law enforcement agencies as cybercriminals increasingly use online platforms, compromised business communications and cryptocurrency transactions to facilitate suspected financial crimes.

The allegations against the two suspects have not been established in court. Both remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.