AI Is Helping Criminals Steal Millions Across Africa, INTERPOL Warns
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is now linked to more than half of the cybercrime cases reported across Africa, according to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026.
The report warns that cybercriminals are using AI to make attacks faster, larger in scale, and harder for victims, companies, and authorities to detect.
INTERPOL says cybercrime has changed from isolated incidents into a highly organized, borderless criminal network that targets people, businesses, and governments across the continent.
The 40-page report is based on information collected from 36 African member countries.
It found that 55% of reported cybercrime cases in Africa are now AI-enabled, showing how criminals are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to improve phishing, scams, identity theft, and online fraud.
The report comes as Africa’s digital economy continues to grow rapidly. More than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers were recorded across the continent in 2025, creating new opportunities for businesses but also exposing more people to cyber threats.
Cybercrime Cases Continue to Cause Heavy Financial Losses
INTERPOL said cybercrime-related financial losses have more than doubled since 2024.
Losses increased from USD 192 million to USD 484 million, mainly because of AI-powered scams, stolen login credentials, and automated social engineering attacks.
Online scams remained the most commonly reported cybercrime in 2025. Criminals increasingly used mobile money platforms, social media, and AI tools to trick victims into sharing money or personal information.
The report also found that 72% of surveyed countries reported the presence of scam centres, with Southern and West Africa recording the highest numbers.
The report shows that cybercrime varies across Africa.
East Africa has become a hotspot for mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting important infrastructure.
In Central and West Africa, criminals continue to use business email compromise and romance scams to target companies and individuals.
Meanwhile, Southern Africa’s high internet connectivity has attracted global cybercriminal groups looking to cause maximum disruption.
AI-Generated Identities Raise New Concerns
INTERPOL warned that criminals are no longer relying only on stolen identities.
Instead, they are creating AI-generated synthetic identities by combining real personal information with fake details.
These digital identities can bypass biometric security checks and have already been used to open bank accounts, obtain mobile loans, and register SIM cards using false identities.
The report also highlights the growing use of AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media in digital sextortion and online harassment.
According to INTERPOL, around 600,000 digital sextortion detections were recorded by cybersecurity partner TrendAI.
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Lack of Data Sharing Remains a Challenge
INTERPOL said efforts to fight cybercrime are being weakened by poor coordination between banks, telecommunications companies, and law enforcement agencies.
The report says the absence of real-time information sharing creates major gaps that criminals continue to exploit.
It also notes that many law enforcement agencies across Africa are still not adequately prepared to deal with AI-powered cybercrime.
Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Unit, said cybercrime has become one of the biggest criminal threats facing Africa.
“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.”
He added, “However, we see that when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled.”
Major Operations Lead to Arrests
The report highlights progress made through regional cooperation.
In 2025, 17 African countries introduced or updated cybercrime laws. Senegal also launched an online reporting platform to improve responses to online crimes affecting children.
INTERPOL said four major operations-Operation Serengeti 2.0, Operation Contender 3.0, Operation Sentinel, and Operation Red Card 2.0-resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices, and the recovery of over USD 100 million.
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Interpol using map of Africa to illustrate the rising cases of cybercrime
PHOTO/Interpol
