Senegalese authorities have thwarted a cyber fraud attempt targeting a major oil company, preventing the diversion of US$7.9 million, Interpol revealed.
The attackers had infiltrated the company’s internal email system and impersonated senior executives in an effort to trigger a fraudulent bank transfer, according to the international police organisation.
Interpol’s director of cybercrime, Neal Jetton, warned that cyberattacks in Africa are becoming increasingly frequent and sophisticated, particularly against strategic sectors such as finance and energy. He praised the rapid response of Senegal’s security services, which blocked the transfer and froze the destination bank accounts, averting a major financial loss.
The intervention took place within the framework of a broader international operation involving 19 African countries, carried out between late October and late November. Interpol said the coordinated effort resulted in the arrest of more than 574 suspects across the continent, the seizure of around $3 million, and the takedown of more than 6,000 malicious online links.
In Ghana, the operation also led to several arrests linked to ransomware attacks and identity theft schemes that affected hundreds of victims and caused losses of several hundred thousand dollars, Interpol added.
The case underscores the growing cyber risks facing Senegal as digitalisation accelerates across the economy. According to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, more than 10 million cyber threats were detected and blocked in the country in 2024, reflecting a sharp rise in intrusion attempts, exploitation of software vulnerabilities and password theft targeting businesses, public institutions and individuals.
Some of the attacks exploited unsecured remote access points or unpatched systems, leaving sensitive networks exposed, the firm said.
Interpol said the joint mobilisation of African countries highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation, modern investigative tools and stronger local capacities to counter cybercrime. It also underlines the need for greater awareness, training and investment in secure digital infrastructure to curb fraud risks and support Africa’s digital transformation.
