Interpol and Angola dismantle illegal crypto mining sites, arrest 1,000+, seize $100M, and disrupt global fraud and trafficking networks.
Interpol, along with Angolan authorities, has launched a major crackdown on illegal crypto mining, announcing over 1,000 arrests and the seizure of about $100 million. This operation, detailed in a Friday notice on August 22, 2025, targeted 25 crypto mining centers in Angola run illegally by 60 Chinese nationals. The government of Angola will use the captured device, which is worth more than 37 million dollars, to supply power to other areas that are in urgent need of power. The move underscores the international push to curtail illicit crypto activities.
15 Arrested in Zambia Over Crypto Fraud Targeting Thousands
Moving to another breakthrough, the operation spread to Zambia, where authorities broke up a huge online scheme of investment fraud. The scam targeted 65,000 victims and costs them an estimated 300 million dollars as they were promised high-yield returns on their cryptocurrencies through heavy advertisements. Scammers used social engineering to manipulate victims into downloading various apps to join in and 15 people were apprehended. Police also confiscated such evidence as domains, mobile numbers, and bank accounts, and the investigation has been continuing to identify the international accomplices.
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Along with this, Zambian authorities also found a suspected human trafficking chain when they conducted the crackdown. They teamed up with the Immigration Department in Lusaka and seized 372 forged passports of seven nations, and this disrupted a center of scam activity. This finding demonstrates the interconnection between cybercrime and human trafficking that makes the operation more complicated. The collaborative efforts are a move towards dismantling such criminal networks
In Côte d’Ivoire, a cross-border inheritance fraud run out of Germany was shut down by police. This long-term scam deceived people into paying sums of money in the pretence of fictitious inheritances, resulting in losses of 1.6 million dollars. Officers arrested the primary suspect and confiscated assets that included electronics, jewelry, cash, vehicles, and documents. Although it is an ancient trick, inheritance scams still bring large amounts of money to criminal groups, so this bust is an important one.
Crackdown on Illegal Crypto Mining Sets Global Example
Valdecy Urquiza, Interpol’s Secretary General, praised the operation’s success. He observed that every coordinated measure builds on the prior one, enhancing cooperation and information exchange between member nations. The increasing size and effectiveness is the result of an even more intense international network at work, he said, and is having a very real effect and safeguarding the victims.
The sessions before the operation were practical endeavours in open-source intelligence, investigations involving illegal crypto mining and ransomware analysis. This training honed them and had a direct relevance to the efficiency of the operation. Consequently, the crackdown not only confiscated property but also increased the capabilities of law enforcement to address crimes in the future. The success in Angola, Zambia, and Cote d’Ivoire shows a good example that current global efforts should follow.
This coordinated operation highlights the growing threat of illegal crypto mining and related fraud schemes. The authorities in Angola seized assets. They could now use these assets to improve local infrastructure. As a result, they can turn criminal activity into a benefit for society. Meanwhile, investigations are still ongoing. Therefore, the network may expand as officials make more arrests and recover more assets in the coming days.
