• Senegal’s police recorded 3,794 cybercrime offenses in 2025, close to the 3,902 complaints logged in 2024.

• Most cases involve online scams, data breaches, and unauthorized access to computer systems.

• Authorities warn that rapid digitalization is fueling new forms of cybercrime across the country.

In Senegal, police recorded 3,794 cybercrime-related offenses in 2025, reflecting a growing wave of crimes committed through electronic communication tools. The figure comes after 3,902 complaints were already registered in 2024, according to law enforcement data.

The statistics were disclosed on March 12 during the presentation of the National Police’s annual report. According to information reported by local media, the offenses recorded in 2025 mainly involve online scams, attacks on digital data, and fraudulent access to or presence in computer systems.

Police also warned about the rise in cases of defamation and insults on digital platforms, a phenomenon increasingly linked to the widespread use of social media. Investigations carried out by law enforcement led to 257 people being brought before the courts in 2025 for cybercrime-related offenses.

Those implicated come from varied backgrounds, although adult Senegalese men make up the majority. Men account for 84% of those referred to the courts, compared with 16% women. In terms of age, 250 suspects are adults and seven are minors, highlighting a limited but notable involvement of young people in these illegal activities. Regarding nationality, 89% of suspects are Senegalese, while 11% are foreign nationals.

A continental trend

These figures reflect a broader trend observed across Africa. According to Interpol, the rise in cybercrime is closely linked to rapid digital transformation, marked by greater connectivity and the widespread adoption of technologies such as mobile banking and online commerce. The organization estimates that between 2019 and 2025, cybersecurity incidents in Africa caused financial losses exceeding $3 billion.

For example, a joint operation carried out by Interpol and law enforcement agencies in 16 African countries, including Senegal, between early December 2025 and late January 2026 led to 651 arrests and the recovery of more than $4.3 million. The operation targeted networks involved in high-yield investment scams, mobile money fraud, and fraudulent mobile loan schemes.

Investigations uncovered scams linked to more than $45 million in financial losses and identified 1,247 victims, mainly in Africa but also in other regions of the world. Authorities also seized 2,341 devices and shut down 1,442 malicious IP addresses, domains, and servers, along with related digital infrastructure.

A similar operation carried out between June and August 2025 resulted in the arrest of 1,209 cybercriminals who had targeted nearly 88,000 victims and caused losses estimated at around $484.9 million. About $97.4 million of those losses were recovered.

A growing security challenge

According to Commissioner Baïdy Sène, who presented the report’s findings, securing digital space has become a major issue for national sovereignty and the protection of citizens. He called for increased vigilance in the face of emerging forms of online crime.

The Director General of the National Police, Mame Seydou Ndour, said improving the quality of services provided to citizens through the digitalization of procedures remains one of the institution’s priorities.

As part of this effort, law enforcement officially launched a cybercrime reporting platform in February. The platform aims to make it easier for citizens to report and track cybercrime offenses, which are continuing to grow.

These offenses include unauthorized content distribution, obscene content dissemination, online harassment, defamation, digital extortion, child exploitation online, hate speech, intrusion into computer systems, account hacking, identity theft, SIM swap fraud, romance scams, fake investment schemes, mobile money fraud, unauthorized access to mobile money accounts, fake online recruitment offers, fraudulent payments, and fake online sales.

Senegalese police have also begun discussions to strengthen cooperation with a U.S. technology company in the fight against cybercrime. Talks have focused in particular on protecting young people and minors and strengthening the investigative capacities of law enforcement services.

Isaac K. Kassouwi