Interpol has announced that AI is being used in over 50% of cybercrimes in Africa, and that Western countries are also being affected.
While AI-generated tools are useful in a variety of jobs and academics, they are also proving to be valuable tools for criminals.
INTERPOL report finds AI linked to more than half of cybercrime in Africa
https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2026/INTERPOL-report-finds-AI-linked-to-more-than-half-of-cybercrime-in-Africa
AI fuels more than half of cybercrime in Africa as digital scams surge, INTERPOL | Africanews
https://www.africanews.com/2026/08/04/ai-fuels-more-than-half-of-cybercrime-in-africa-as-digital-scams-surge-interpol/
In Africa, the number of mobile phone subscribers is projected to exceed 1.1 billion by 2025, and rapid digitalization is leading to increased reliance on digital services. While this is driving technological innovation, it is also creating new areas of operation for cybercriminals.
A survey conducted by Interpol across 36 African countries revealed that cybercrime in Africa is evolving from 'single, isolated incidents' to an 'industrialized, borderless ecosystem.'
According to Interpol, cybercrime trends vary by region within Africa. East Africa is known for mobile money scams and ransomware attacks targeting infrastructure, while Central and West Africa are reported to see more business email compromise and romance scams targeting individuals and businesses. Furthermore, Southern Africa, with its high level of digital connectivity, is considered an attractive location for global threat actors seeking to increase their influence.
Economic losses in Africa due to cybercrime are surging, with estimated losses rising from $192 million (approximately 30 billion yen) in 2024 to $484 million (approximately 76 billion yen) in 2025. Interpol stated that the main causes include AI-powered fraud, theft of credentials, and automated
Online fraud is projected to be the most prevalent cybercrime by 2025, with attackers using mobile money platforms, social media, and AI to target their victims. Notably, 72% of the surveyed countries reported having fraud bases operating within their borders, with a particular concentration in West and Southern Africa.
AI is fueling cybercrime, with reports indicating that AI is involved in over 55% of reported cybercrimes across Africa. For example, sextortion and online harassment using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media are widespread, with cybersecurity platform TrendAI recording approximately 600,000 sextortion cases.
Similarly, business email compromise (BEC) scams using AI are becoming more sophisticated, allowing cybercriminals to create highly persuasive business emails using AI and send them to targets. BEC is reportedly targeting not only African countries but also companies in Europe and North America by utilizing infrastructure that spans multiple jurisdictions.
Another concern is the use of AI-generated fake profiles that combine real personal data with fabricated elements. These are reported to be used for opening bank accounts, obtaining mobile phone loans, registering SIM cards, and even bypassing some biometric authentication systems.
Cybercrime in Africa is becoming increasingly serious, but progress is being made, with 17 African countries enacting or amending cybercrime-related laws by 2025. Senegal, in particular, has launched an online reporting platform with the aim of strengthening its response to online crimes affecting children.
Interpol has also been involved in four joint international operations targeting African cybercrime organizations, arresting more than 1,500 criminals, seizing hundreds of devices, and recovering over $100 million (approximately 15.7 billion yen) in funds.
Neil Jetton, head of Interpol's cybercrime countermeasures division, said, 'Cybercrime is emerging as one of the most serious criminal threats in Africa. AI is automating every stage of cyberattacks, from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and escape. However, we know that if countries work together, we can identify, disrupt, and dismantle the infrastructure of cybercrime.'
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