INTERPOL Says AI Drives 55% of African Cybercrime as Losses Jump to $484 Million
Updated
Updated · Africanews English · Aug 4
INTERPOL Says AI Drives 55% of African Cybercrime as Losses Jump to $484 Million
3 articles · Updated · Africanews English · Aug 4
Summary
$484 million in cybercrime losses was recorded across Africa in 2025, up from $192 million in 2024, as INTERPOL said AI featured in 55% of reported cases.
36 countries supplied data for the assessment, which said online scams remain the biggest threat, with AI boosting fraud, stolen-credential attacks and social-engineering campaigns.
72% of surveyed countries reported scam centres within their borders—especially in West and Southern Africa—while East Africa faced mobile money fraud and ransomware targeting critical infrastructure.
600,000 sextortion cases linked to deepfakes and AI-generated content were detected by TrendAI, and INTERPOL warned synthetic identities are being used to open accounts, secure loans and register SIM cards.
17 African countries updated cybercrime laws in 2025, and four joint operations produced more than 1,500 arrests and over $100 million recovered, though weak real-time coordination still leaves gaps.