AI now permeates every phase of cybercrime in Africa, from deepfakes to phishing, Interpol reports
According to an Interpol report, AI is involved in 55% of reported cybercrimes in Africa, with financial losses more than doubling from $192 million to $484 million since 2024. The year 2025 marks the shift of AI from a supporting tool to a central driver of cybercrime on the continent, with AI used across all attack stages, from phishing to synthetic identities that bypass biometric systems.
An Interpol report reveals that AI is involved in 55% of reported cybercrimes in Africa, marking 2025 as the transition of AI from a supporting tool to the central driver of cybercrime on the continent. Financial losses have more than doubled since 2024, rising from $192 million to $484 million, reflecting a fundamental shift in criminal methods. AI is used in all phases of cyberattacks, including phishing, extortion, and the creation of synthetic identities capable of bypassing biometric systems. The report records around 600,000 cases of digital extortion using deepfakes, based on data from 36 African countries. Interpol-coordinated operations in 2025/2026 led to more than 1,500 arrests and the seizure of over $100 million. Neal Jetton, head of Interpol's cybercrime unit, stated that AI automates every step of a cyberattack, from reconnaissance to phishing, extortion, and obfuscation.
Source: The Decoder (DE) —
original