Interpol: AI, a Pillar of Cybercrime in Africa
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Interpol: AI, a Pillar of Cybercrime in Africa
Interpol claims that AI has become the "central operational engine of cybercrime" on the African continent.
According to a new report from Interpol, AI is involved in 55% of reported cybercrimes in Africa. The year 2025 marks the point when AI transitioned from a useful tool to what the agency calls the "central operational engine of cybercrime in Africa." Financial losses have more than doubled since 2024, rising from $192 million to $484 million. This increase reflects a profound shift in the way criminals operate, according to the report.
Criminals now use AI at every stage of a cyberattack. This includes:
- Phishing
- Extortion
- The creation of synthetic identities capable of bypassing biometric systems
Approximately 600,000 cases of digital extortion involving deepfakes have been recorded. The analysis relies on data from 36 African countries.
"AI automates every step of a cyberattack, from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion," said Neal Jetton, head of Interpol's cybercrime unit. The report also covers successes in law enforcement. Four operations coordinated by Interpol in 2025 and 2026 led to over 1,500 arrests and the seizure of more than $100 million.
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