Interpol Recovers $105M, Shuts Illegal Crypto Mining Centres

Interpol said on October 22 that Operation Serengeti III, run by law enforcement from 21 countries, led to 1,462 arrests and the recovery of more than $105 million in illicit funds. In Angola, investigators shut down two illegal crypto mining centres.

Details

The operation ran from June 29 to August 31, 2026 under Interpol's coordination, targeting cyber-enabled fraud, ransomware, business email compromise, online scams and digital extortion. According to Interpol's announcement, authorities disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and identified 65,929 victims, with linked losses above $385 million.

In Angola, police dismantled two illegal mining centres, arrested nine suspects and seized more than 2,000 mining devices and six illegal power transformation stations. The seized electrical infrastructure alone was valued at over $1 million.

Crypto appears in other cases too. In Nigeria, a probe into an investment scam promoted through messaging apps led to an arrest; more than $2.4 million in suspected proceeds moved through the scheme, much of it laundered via cryptocurrency. In Uganda, authorities dismantled two transnational fraud rings and arrested 365 foreign nationals accused of running fake investment schemes aimed at pensioners in Asia.

Interpol's cybercrime director Neal Jetton said cybercrime networks operate without regard for borders and that international cooperation remains one of the most effective tools against them. Several investigations remain active.

What it means for the market

This is not a price driver: the sums are small next to the industry's volumes. It does show that law enforcement is paying growing attention to illicit mining and crypto laundering. For the current market picture, see the daily brief.