Interpol has confirmed the arrest of 27 Kenyans linked to large-scale online fraud schemes during a coordinated cybercrime crackdown across Africa.

The operation, conducted between December 8, 2025, and January 30, 2026, targeted online investment scams, mobile money fraud, and fake digital loan applications.

According to Interpol, the suspects used messaging apps, social media platforms, and fake testimonials to lure victims into fake investment deals.

Victims were persuaded to deposit small amounts, sometimes as low as Ksh 6,400 ($50) — with promises of high returns, only to be blocked from withdrawing funds later.

The arrests were part of Operation Red Card 2.0, which involved law enforcement agencies from 16 African countries and led to 651 arrests overall, recovering more than USD 4.3 million( ksh 555 Million) in losses.