R10bn Scam Network Busted As Hawks Lead World’s Biggest Cybercrime Takedown In Johannesburg

A major international cybercrime syndicate worth billions has been dismantled following coordinated raids in Bryanston and Johannesburg’s northern suburbs on Tuesday morning. The operation, led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), is being described as one of the largest cybercrime takedowns of its kind globally, involving law enforcement agencies from several countries and private forensic specialists.

Hawks Lead Massive Global Cybercrime Crackdown

The investigation, launched in 2022 by the Hawks’ Gauteng Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, culminated in the arrest of several suspects, including senior figures and multiple call centre agents allegedly involved in the scam network.

The multi-agency task team was headed by Gauteng Hawks provincial boss Major General Ebrahim Kadwa and brought together an extensive list of local and international partners. These included Crime Intelligence, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the National Prosecuting Authority, Interpol, the United States Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service, the Australian Federal Police and the UK’s National Crime Agency.

The operation also formed part of Interpol’s Project Jackal and was supported by private forensic experts from IRS Forensic Investigations, alongside Australian firms IFW Global and CyberTrace.

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Inside the Sophisticated Scam Call Centre Network

Investigators allege the syndicate operated highly organised scam call centres from South Africa for nearly a decade, targeting victims across multiple countries. In the United States alone, authorities documented approximately 20,000 victims, with thousands more identified in other jurisdictions.

According to investigators, the call centres were staffed mainly by South African citizens who knowingly participated in the scams and used aliases when engaging with victims.

Chad Thomas of IRS Forensic Investigations explained how the operation differed from similar syndicates in Southeast Asia.

“This is not a similar case to Myanmar,” he said. “In South Africa, the call centre operators were complicit, assumed aliases and participated in the whole scam, knowingly.”

Victims, often nearing retirement age, were allegedly groomed over extended periods. Call centre agents would encourage small investments that appeared to deliver impressive returns before persuading victims to commit significantly larger sums. Communication reportedly took place via WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype and Messenger.

To maintain the illusion of legitimacy, the syndicate allegedly used polished branding, fake press releases, fabricated testimonials, professional-looking websites and client login portals.

R10 Billion Fraud and Global Money Laundering Trail

Investigators believe the syndicate employed complex, layered money-laundering structures operating across several jurisdictions. In just one year, foreign victims were allegedly defrauded of more than R1 billion, with hundreds of millions of rand flowing into South Africa to sustain the operation.

International estimates suggest the total value of the fraud may exceed R10 billion.

In one case highlighted by investigators, an elderly medical professional in the United States was scammed out of more than $1 million. The victim was later approached by a so-called recovery company, persuaded to pay additional fees and enticed to travel to South Africa.

Authorities were alerted in time, allowing law enforcement to intervene and ensure the victim’s safe return. The recovery scheme was later confirmed to be part of the original fraud, a tactic commonly known as “pig-butchering”.

Major General Kadwa praised the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and private-sector partners, describing the operation as a major blow to a deeply entrenched international cybercrime network.

The investigation is continuing, with further arrests not ruled out. The suspects are expected to appear before a Gauteng magistrate’s court on Wednesday.

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