Interpol: Artificial intelligence controls more than half of cybercrimes in Africa

Written by: Ayman Ragab

Artificial intelligence has become a key tool in more than half of reported cybercrimes in Africa, allowing criminals to launch faster, more convincing, and more widespread attacks, according to the 2026 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

The report revealed that 55% of the recorded cybercrime cases across the continent involved the use of artificial intelligence, raising concerns as Africa’s digital economy continues to expand.

With more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers in 2025, millions of people rely on digital services, creating new opportunities for innovation as well as for cybercriminals.

Based on data from 36 African countries, the 40-page assessment explained that cybercrime has evolved into a highly organized and transnational industry, and has become more difficult for authorities to detect and curb.

Online fraud remains the biggest cyber threat in Africa

According to the report, online fraud remained the most prevalent form of cybercrime in 2025. Criminals increasingly used artificial intelligence, along with social media platforms and mobile money services, to target victims.

Interpol said financial losses related to cybercrime rose sharply last year, jumping from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million. Investigators attribute this increase to AI-powered scams, login credential theft, and sophisticated social engineering attacks.

The report also found that 72% of the surveyed countries identified fraud centers operating within their borders, with the highest concentration of these centers in West and Southern Africa.

Different regions face different cyber risks.

The report highlighted different trends in cybercrime across the continent.

In East Africa, mobile money scams and ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure are among the biggest threats.

West and Central Africa continue to face high levels of business email compromise and sentimental fraud targeting both businesses and individuals.

At the same time, South Africa’s advanced digital infrastructure has made the region an attractive target for international cybercrime networks seeking to increase the scale of the damage they cause.

Artificial intelligence makes cybercrimes more convincing

Interpol has warned that artificial intelligence is changing the way cybercriminals operate.

Deepfake techniques and AI-generated content are increasingly used in digital sextortion and online harassment campaigns. One of Interpol's technology partners, TrendAI, has identified nearly 600,000 cases of sextortion linked to these methods.

The report also noted a sharp rise in business email compromise (BEC) scams, where criminals use artificial intelligence to create realistic emails that mimic trusted contacts.

Some cybercrime groups based in Africa have targeted companies and individuals in Europe and North America, using infrastructure distributed across several countries to conceal their activities.

Another growing concern is the use of artificial identities, as criminals are no longer content with simply stealing personal information, but are combining real data with fake details to create entirely new digital identities.

According to the report, these fake profiles were used to open bank accounts, obtain mobile loans, and register SIM cards, bypassing some biometric verification systems.

Cooperation gaps put financial systems at risk.

Interpol said that poor coordination between banks, telecommunications companies and law enforcement agencies continues to hamper efforts to combat cybercrime.

The lack of real-time information sharing gives criminals opportunities to quickly transfer stolen funds and exploit vulnerabilities across multiple jurisdictions before authorities can respond.

The report also found that many law enforcement agencies in Africa are still not adequately prepared to deal with AI-powered cyber threats, despite the speed at which criminal networks are adopting this technology.

Countries are stepping up their efforts to combat cybercrime.

Despite the escalating threat, the report noted progress across the continent.

In 2025, 17 African countries enacted or updated legislation on cybercrime. Senegal also launched an online reporting platform aimed at improving the handling of cybercrimes targeting children.

Interpol said that joint international operations also achieved significant results. 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 more than $100 million in assets linked to cybercrime.