Interpol uncovers $7.9 million cyber fraud attempt targeting Senegal's oil sector
Interpol's latest annual report on cyber threats in Africa details a large-scale Business Email Compromise BEC financial fraud attempt originating from Senegal. This operation targeted an oil company for $7.9 million. The incident highlights the growing importance of digital forensic investigations and international police cooperation against transnational cybercrime networks. As part of Operation Sentinel, conducted by Interpol at the end of 2025, cyber investigators uncovered a sophisticated criminal scheme based in Senegal. Cybercriminals attempted to intercept and divert $7.9 million, approximately 4.74 billion FCFA. The modus operandi involved hacking and impersonating corporate email accounts. After a passive infiltration phase to observe financial flows and internal language, the hackers sent fake transfer orders by imitating executives using advanced technological tools. Rapid intervention by investigative services and banking coordination allowed the destination accounts to be frozen in time, preventing the loss of funds. This case demonstrates the transnational structure of networks where actors operating from Africa act globally with infrastructures spread across several continents. This cyber crackdown in Africa involved 19 countries, leading to 574 arrests, the neutralization of over 6,000 malicious links, and the recovery of $3 million. Additionally, operations Serengeti 2.0 and Contender 3.0 focused on dismantling illegal cryptocurrency mining farms, scam cente
