Interpol supports African countries against cybercrime

Interpol has set up a new cybercrime operations desk to boost the capacity of 49 African countries to fight cybercrime and internet fraud.

The Africa desk will help shape a regional strategy to drive intelligence-led coordinated actions against cybercriminals and support joint operations.

The Interpol’s move, which is supported by UK, comes amid an increase of attacks by cybercriminals of the computer networks and online activities of individuals, businesses and global organizations with the shift of focus to the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Cybercrime is one of the most prolific forms of international crime, with damages set to cost the global economy $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

Cybercrimes affect all countries, but in Africa, weak networks and security make countries more vulnerable to malicious domains. Studies conducted by Interpol and its member countries in West Africa between 2015 and 2017 showed a high level of Internet fraud targeting businesses, while only one-third of cybercrimes reported to law enforcement agencies each year resulted in arrests.