The Assistant Director of Cybercrime Operations at INTERPOL, Enrique Hernandez Gonzalez, has announced that cybercrime in Africa has increased rapidly.

The surge in cybercrime, he disclosed, has become a major threat to the world at large.

Speaking at the 2024 Regional Cyber Drill for Africa in Accra on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Gonzalez said online scams, digital extortion, ransomware, among others, were the common types of cybercrime committed by Africans.

He stated that INTERPOL was poised to work with organisations and security agencies to clamp down on these unpleasant activities carried out by some unscrupulous persons on the continent.

"Cybercrime has significantly increased in Africa, becoming one of the major threats in the whole region. Following the results published in the recent Africa Cybercrime Threat Assessment published by INTERPOL in April 2024 with input from our member countries and the private sector, the most common types of cybercrime we have seen are ransomware and digital extortion, businesses being compromised, and online scams. That is why these are the three main types of cybercrime that from INTERPOL's side...will be focused on," Enrique Hernandez Gonzalez said.

In Ghana, over GH¢2 million was lost to online fraud between January and March 2024. During the same period, the Cyber Security Authority received 194 cases of online fraud, for a total loss of about GH¢2,404,161.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gonzalez said INTERPOL is ready to help tackle cyber issues in an effective way and also find long-term solutions tailored to the unique needs of each country.



SA/MA