AI Powers 55% of African Cybercrimes, INTERPOL Report Reveals

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Cybercrime has exploded in Africa, with 55% of reported attacks now powered by artificial intelligence. According to a recent INTERPOL report, AI has transformed cybercrime into an industrialised, borderless ecosystem, making attacks faster, more scalable and harder to detect. The report, based on survey responses from 36 African member countries, revealed that cybercrime-related financial losses have more than doubled since 2024, rising from $192m to $484m.

The report noted that online scams remained the most commonly reported cybercrime in 2025, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social media and artificial intelligence to target victims. According to INTERPOL, 72% of surveyed countries reported the existence of scam centres, with the highest concentration found in West and Southern Africa.

The organisation warned that cybercriminals are increasingly relying on AI to bypass security systems by creating synthetic identities — digital personas generated by combining genuine personal information with fabricated details. The absence of real-time, inter-agency data sharing between banks, telecoms and law enforcement creates a dangerous blind spot in efforts to combat financial fraud.

“Combining real personal data with fabricated elements, these AI-generated digital personas can bypass even advanced biometric verification systems and have been used to open bank accounts, secure mobile loans and register SIM cards under false names,” the report added.

INTERPOL further noted that Business Email Compromise scams have become significantly more convincing through AI-generated emails, with Africa-based cybercriminals targeting victims in Europe and North America while operating across multiple jurisdictions. The report highlighted the growing use of AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media in online harassment and digital sextortion.

According to INTERPOL, more than 600,000 sextortion detections were recorded by cybersecurity partner TrendAI during the review period. Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, described cybercrime as one of the region’s most pressing security threats, warning that AI is reshaping how criminals operate.

“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant criminal threats to the region. AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion. However, we see that when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled,” Jetton said.

The report noted that 17 African countries enacted or amended cybercrime legislation in 2025, while several regional capacity-building initiatives strengthened cybersecurity preparedness. INTERPOL also highlighted the success of four coordinated operations — Operation Serengeti 2.0, Operation Contender 3.0, Operation Sentinel and Operation Red Card 2.0, which resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of devices and the recovery of over $100m in criminal proceeds.

The report recommended greater investment in digital forensic capabilities, enhanced cross-border cooperation, improved AI literacy for law enforcement personnel and stronger public-private partnerships to tackle the growing cyber threat across Africa.

A recent report by INTERPOL has highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime in Africa, with 55% of reported attacks now powered by artificial intelligence. According to the report, cybercrime has become an industrialised, borderless ecosystem, making attacks faster, more scalable and harder to detect.

Artificial intelligence has transformed cybercrime into a sophisticated and highly automated process, with AI-generated digital personas used to open bank accounts, secure mobile loans and register SIM cards under false names. The report noted that online scams remain the most commonly reported cybercrime, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social media and artificial intelligence to target victims.

The use of AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media in online harassment and digital sextortion has also become increasingly prevalent, with more than 600,000 sextortion detections recorded by cybersecurity partner TrendAI during the review period. Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, described cybercrime as one of the region’s most pressing security threats, warning that AI is reshaping how criminals operate.

“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant criminal threats to the region. AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion. However, we see that when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled,” Jetton said.

The report recommended greater investment in digital forensic capabilities, enhanced cross-border cooperation, improved AI literacy for law enforcement personnel and stronger public-private partnerships to tackle the growing cyber threat across Africa.

INTERPOL also highlighted the success of four coordinated operations — Operation Serengeti 2.0, Operation Contender 3.0, Operation Sentinel and Operation Red Card 2.0, which resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of devices and the recovery of over $100m in criminal proceeds.

The report noted that 17 African countries enacted or amended cybercrime legislation in 2025, while several regional capacity-building initiatives strengthened cybersecurity preparedness. The growth of cybercrime in Africa has significant implications for individuals, businesses and governments, highlighting the need for a coordinated response to this emerging threat.

The report recommended that African countries invest in digital forensic capabilities, enhance cross-border cooperation, improve AI literacy for law enforcement personnel and strengthen public-private partnerships to tackle the growing cyber threat.

In conclusion, the report highlighted the need for a coordinated response to the growing threat of cybercrime in Africa. By working together, governments, law enforcement and the private sector can strengthen digital defences, improve response to cyber threats and protect citizens from the growing threat of cybercrime.

A report by INTERPOL revealed that 55% of reported cybercrimes in Africa are now powered by AI. The report noted that cybercrime has become an industrialised, borderless ecosystem, making attacks faster, more scalable and harder to detect.

According to INTERPOL, online scams remain the most commonly reported cybercrime, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social media and artificial intelligence to target victims. The use of AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media in online harassment and digital sextortion has also become increasingly prevalent, with more than 600,000 sextortion detections recorded by cybersecurity partner TrendAI during the review period.

African countries have been proactive in combating cybercrime, with 17 countries enacting or amending cybercrime legislation in 2025. Several regional capacity-building initiatives have also strengthened cybersecurity preparedness.

INTERPOL highlighted the success of four coordinated operations — Operation Serengeti 2.0, Operation Contender 3.0, Operation Sentinel and Operation Red Card 2.0, which resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of devices and the recovery of over $100m in criminal proceeds.

The growth of cybercrime in Africa has significant implications for individuals, businesses and governments, highlighting the need for a coordinated response to this emerging threat. By working together, governments, law enforcement and the private sector can strengthen digital defences, improve response to cyber threats and protect citizens from the growing threat of cybercrime.

“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant criminal threats to the region. AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion. However, we see that when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled,” — Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate.

INTERPOL also recommended greater investment in digital forensic capabilities, enhanced cross-border cooperation, improved AI literacy for law enforcement personnel and stronger public-private partnerships to tackle the growing cyber threat across Africa.