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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Jason Burke Africa correspondent

Gangs of cybercriminals are expanding across Africa, investigators say

Experts attribute the surge in cybercrime in Africa to rapid growth of internet use as a result of the Covid pandemic.
Experts attribute the surge in cybercrime in Africa to rapid growth of internet use as a result of the Covid pandemic. Photograph: Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images

Police and investigators fear organised gangs of fraudsters are expanding across sub-Saharan Africa, exploiting new opportunities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global economic crisis to make huge sums with little risk of being caught.

The growth will have a direct impact on the rest of the world, where many victims of “hugely lucrative” fraud live, senior police officials have said.

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