AI used in 55% of reported cybercrimes in Africa: Interpol

What the report says

Interpol says artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in cybercrime across Africa, with 55% of reported cyber incidents on the continent involving AI, according to the Anadolu Agency Africa report. The reporting attributes the finding to Interpol and points to a sharp rise in the financial damage caused by cybercrime in Africa.

The source snippet says losses from cybercrime in Africa have more than doubled since 2024, increasing from $192 million to $484 million. The article does not provide further methodological details in the available text, but the figures suggest a growing scale and sophistication of online fraud, attacks and other digital threats affecting individuals, businesses and governments.

The development matters because AI can help cybercriminals automate scams, generate convincing messages and scale attacks more quickly, making detection and prevention more difficult. In broader context, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts have been warning that generative AI is lowering barriers for phishing, impersonation and other forms of digital crime, especially in regions where cyber defenses and public awareness may be uneven.

The report frames the issue as a continent-wide security concern and highlights the need for stronger coordination, improved cyber defenses and public education. The available evidence does not specify which countries were most affected or provide further details on Interpol’s recommendations.