---
title: 'Interpol Cybercrime Sweep Nets $105M and Seizes 2,000 Crypto Mining Devices'
url: >-
  https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/articles/2026-10-25-interpol-cybercrime-sweep-nets-105m-and-seizes-2000-crypto-mining-devices
canonical: >-
  https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/articles/2026-10-25-interpol-cybercrime-sweep-nets-105m-and-seizes-2000-crypto-mining-devices
date: '2026-10-25T12:04:23.780160+00:00'
category: bitcoin
tags:
  - interpol
  - cybercrime
  - crypto-mining
  - angola
  - law-enforcement
source: Decrypt
source_url: >-
  https://decrypt.co/381690/interpol-recovers-105m-in-african-cybercrime-sweep-that-shut-illegal-crypto-mines
publisher: CryptoCatalyst
summary: >-
  Interpol's Operation Serengeti III led to 1,462 arrests across 21 countries
  and the seizure of more than 2,000 crypto mining devices in Angola.
image: >-
  https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/images/articles/2026-10-25-interpol-cybercrime-sweep-nets-105m-and-seizes-2000-crypto-mining-devices.webp
generated_by: automated editorial pipeline
---
# Interpol Cybercrime Sweep Nets $105M and Seizes 2,000 Crypto Mining Devices

Interpol says Operation Serengeti III resulted in 1,462 arrests across 21 countries and recovered $105 million in a crackdown on cybercrime. In Angola, police seized more than 2,000 cryptocurrency mining devices, highlighting that mining equipment can be part of investigations into illegal activity.

## Key takeaways

- Operation Serengeti III resulted in 1,462 arrests across 21 countries.
- Authorities recovered $105 million during the cybercrime sweep.
- Angolan police seized more than 2,000 cryptocurrency mining devices.
- The report does not identify the cryptocurrency mined or explain the specific allegations tied to the equipment.

Interpol’s Operation Serengeti III led to 1,462 arrests across 21 countries and the recovery of $105 million, according to the report. The cybercrime sweep also included a major seizure in Angola: police took more than 2,000 cryptocurrency mining devices.

The report does not specify the value or owner of the seized equipment, or explain the exact allegations tied to the mining operation. It does show that the sweep reached beyond online fraud and into physical infrastructure used to mine crypto.

## What happened to the mining devices in Angola?

Angolan police seized more than 2,000 crypto mining devices during the operation. Mining devices perform the computing work that helps process transactions and secure certain cryptocurrency networks; operating them can also consume substantial electricity.

The available account does not say whether the devices were mining Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency, or provide details about where they were found. Those gaps matter: the seizure alone does not establish who owned the equipment or what specific crime investigators believe it was connected to.

## What does the sweep mean for crypto users?

The $105 million recovered and 1,462 arrests reflect the scale of the wider cybercrime operation, not necessarily proceeds from crypto mining. The mining seizure is a separate, concrete example of authorities targeting physical equipment as part of enforcement across 21 countries.

For people who hold or use crypto, the practical distinction is between the technology and the conduct surrounding it: mining is a legitimate activity, but equipment can still be seized when police investigate suspected illegal operations. That is different from a protocol-level change such as [Bitcoin mining pool work on Stratum V2](/articles/2026-06-25-dmnd-mining-pool-achieves-first-bitcoin-block-with-stratum-v2), which concerns how miners build blocks rather than law enforcement.

The next useful detail would be an official account of the Angolan case—especially the suspected offense, the equipment’s ownership, and what authorities will do with the machines. Until then, the seizure should not be read as evidence that crypto mining itself was banned or criminalized.

## FAQ

### What was Operation Serengeti III?

It was an Interpol-led cybercrime sweep that resulted in 1,462 arrests across 21 countries and the recovery of $105 million.

### How many crypto mining devices did Angolan police seize?

Angolan police seized more than 2,000 cryptocurrency mining devices during the operation.

### Were the seized mining devices used for Bitcoin?

The report does not identify which cryptocurrency the equipment was mining.

### Does the seizure mean crypto mining is illegal in Angola?

The reported seizure does not establish that mining itself is illegal. The account does not provide the suspected offense or details about the equipment’s ownership.

## Source

This article is a summary of reporting by [Decrypt](https://decrypt.co/381690/interpol-recovers-105m-in-african-cybercrime-sweep-that-shut-illegal-crypto-mines), written by an automated editorial pipeline. See https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/editorial-policy.

## How to cite

CryptoCatalyst.news, "Interpol Cybercrime Sweep Nets $105M and Seizes 2,000 Crypto Mining Devices", 2026-10-25, https://www.cryptocatalyst.news/articles/2026-10-25-interpol-cybercrime-sweep-nets-105m-and-seizes-2000-crypto-mining-devices