Interpol has reported that artificial intelligence has become the 'core operational driver of cybercrime' across Africa. The agency states that AI is involved in 55 percent of reported cybercrimes in the region, marking a significant shift in criminal tactics. The report highlights that 2025 was the turning point where AI transitioned from a useful tool to a central element in cybercrime operations. Financial losses from cyberattacks more than doubled since 2024, increasing from $192 million to $484 million. This surge reflects a fundamental change in how cybercriminals are executing their attacks, according to the report.
Criminals are now using AI at every stage of a cyberattack, including phishing, extortion, and creating synthetic identities that can bypass biometric systems. The report notes that about 600,000 cases of digital extortion involving deepfakes were recorded. The analysis is based on data from 36 African countries, underscoring the widespread impact of AI-driven cybercrime. Neal Jetton, head of Interpol's cybercrime unit, emphasized that AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack, from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion.
The report also details enforcement successes, with four Interpol-coordinated operations in 2025 and 2026 resulting in over 1,500 arrests and the seizure of more than $100 million in assets.
Source: thedecoder
