Correspondent
- Interpol’s Major Cybercrime Operation in AfricaBetween September and October 2024, Interpol, in collaboration with Afripol, conducted Operation Serengeti across 19 African nations. This initiative led to the arrest of 1,006 individuals involved in various cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks, business email compromise, digital extortion, and online scams. The operation assisted over 35,000 victims and uncovered financial losses nearing $193 million globally. Notably, in Kenya, authorities apprehended suspects linked to an $8.6 million credit card fraud, while in Senegal, eight individuals, including five Chinese nationals, were arrested for orchestrating a $6 million Ponzi scheme affecting 1,811 victims. voanews.cominterpol.int
- McKinsey & Company’s Settlement Over South African Bribery ChargesIn December 2024, McKinsey agreed to pay over $122 million to settle charges related to bribery of officials at South Africa’s state-owned entities, Eskom and Transnet. Between 2012 and 2016, the firm secured multimillion-dollar consulting contracts by paying bribes to obtain confidential information. A former senior partner, Vikas Sagar, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. McKinsey has since repaid fees to the affected entities and implemented measures to address the misconduct. businessinsider.com
- Swiss Prosecutors Accuse Trafigura of Bribery in AngolaIn November 2024, Swiss prosecutors indicted Trafigura Beheer BV and its former chief operating officer, Mike Wainwright, alleging they paid nearly €5 million in bribes to an Angolan official to secure lucrative contracts. The bribes were reportedly funneled through an intermediary and sanctioned by Trafigura’s founder, Claude Dauphin. The trial is set to commence in December 2024 in Bellinzona, Switzerland. ft.com
- Former Mozambique Finance Minister Sentenced in Bribery SchemeManuel Chang, Mozambique’s former finance minister, was sentenced to 8½ years in a U.S. federal prison for his role in a $2 billion kickback scheme that nearly led to the country’s financial collapse. Convicted of defrauding investors by misrepresenting loans intended for maritime projects, Chang personally received $7 million in bribes. The scheme had profound adverse effects on Mozambique’s economy. wsj.com
- Hezbollah’s Fundraising Activities in West AfricaInvestigations revealed that Hezbollah raises funds in West Africa through a combination of informal taxation within the Lebanese diaspora, organized crime, and money laundering. In cities like Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the Lebanese community contributes to Hezbollah’s funding through “zakat” and is subjected to a racketeering system enforcing contributions. The organization also engages in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering, generating over $300 million annually. These operations exploit connections with South American drug cartels, using West Africa as a hub to launder proceeds from cocaine sales. lemonde.fr
- Rising Commercial Crimes in South AfricaSouth Africa has experienced a significant increase in white-collar crimes, with a reported surge of nearly 20% in recent statistics. These crimes encompass fraud, embezzlement, and other financial offenses, posing substantial risks to businesses across the country. The actual figures are believed to be higher due to underreporting. Authorities and businesses are urged to implement robust internal controls and thorough employee vetting processes to mitigate these risks. businesstech.co.za
- Global Crackdown on West African Crime GroupsBetween April and July 2024, Interpol led Operation Jackal III, targeting West African organized crime groups across five continents. The operation resulted in 300 arrests, the seizure of $3 million, and the blocking of 720 bank accounts. The initiative aimed to combat online financial fraud and dismantle the networks behind these criminal activities. africanews.com
- Isabel dos Santos Charged with Multiple Crimes in AngolaAngolan prosecutors charged businesswoman Isabel dos Santos with 12 crimes, accusing her of causing state losses of approximately $219 million during her tenure as head of the state-owned oil company, Sonangol. The charges include embezzlement and money laundering. The trial is anticipated to begin soon, marking a significant development in Angola’s efforts to address high-profile corruption. icij.org
- Nigeria’s Black Axe Mafia Targeted by InterpolIn a series of covert operations, Interpol targeted the Nigerian Black Axe mafia, a notorious cyber-crime network with a global reach. The crackdown led to numerous arrests and highlighted the organization’s involvement in various criminal activities, including internet fraud and human trafficking. This operation underscores the international community’s commitment to combating organized crime originating from Africa. bbc.com
- Continued Search for ‘Cryptoqueen’ in South AfricaAuthorities have intensified the search for Ruja Ignatova, known as the “cryptoqueen,” who orchestrated a $4.5 billion cryptocurrency scam. Investigations suggest she may be hiding in Cape Town, South Africa, possibly having altered her appearance through surgery. The FBI has placed her on their top ten most wanted list and is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to her capture. thetimes.co.uk
Discover more from SBNN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
James Daniel
