China and Africa deepen police ties with new anti-fraud alliance and joint ops
A China-led international alliance and the first joint operation in Madagascar mark a more operational phase in the fight against transnational fraud and illegal gambling.
Key takeaways:
- China and African countries are expanding police cooperation against cross-border cybercrime, with online gambling networks, telecom fraud and related financial crimes highlighted as priorities.
- At the third China–East Africa Ministerial Dialogue on September 10, 2026, in Lianyungang, officials agreed to strengthen joint action against terrorism, kidnapping, unlawful detention, telecom fraud and online fraud.
- The meeting coincided with the launch of the China-initiated International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud, with 46 founding countries, 34 observer countries and four international organisations including the UN and Interpol; Kenya is among the founding members.
- Chinese and Malagasy police carried out their first joint operation against telecom and online fraud in September, dismantling several criminal sites in Antananarivo and repatriating an initial batch of 50 suspects to China on September 8.
- Recent cases in Eswatini, Zambia and Kenya involving Chinese nationals in alleged illegal online gambling, cybercrime and SIM-swapping offences have reinforced the push for closer coordination on investigations, suspect identification and financial tracing.
Madagascar.- China and African countries are moving from dialogue to operational police cooperation against transnational cybercrime and illegal gambling, centred on a new China-led international anti-fraud alliance and the first joint enforcement action in Madagascar. The push, agreed at the September 10 China–East Africa Ministerial Dialogue in Lianyungang, is being framed as a response to a wave of cross-border fraud cases that increasingly involve Chinese nationals and organised criminal networks across the continent.
Chinese public security minister Wang Xiaohong called for stronger action against terrorism, kidnapping, unlawful detention, telecom fraud and online fraud. Representatives from East African countries and the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation also expressed support for strengthening practical collaboration.
The meeting also coincided with the launch of the International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud. The China-initiated alliance has 46 founding countries, 34 observer countries and four international organisations, including the United Nations and Interpol. Kenya was among the founding members. The alliance is intended to support cooperation between law-enforcement agencies through training, joint exercises and coordinated action against transnational fraud and related crimes.
The cooperation has already led to a joint enforcement operation in Madagascar. Chinese and Malagasy police conducted their first joint operation against telecom and online fraud in September, dismantling several criminal sites in Antananarivo and other areas. The first batch of 50 suspects was repatriated to China on September 8 as investigations continued.
The development comes as Chinese nationals become increasingly linked to cases involving illegal online gambling, cybercrime and financial offences in several African countries. In Eswatini, more than 40 Chinese nationals were among those arrested during March raids on suspected illegal online gambling centres in and around Mbabane. The cases included alleged violations of the Gaming Control Act and money-laundering laws.
Zambian authorities detained 79 people, including 11 Chinese nationals, during an August raid on a suspected cybercrime operation in Lusaka. In September, four Chinese nationals appeared before a Nairobi court over allegations involving SIM swapping and money laundering. The cases have reinforced the need for closer coordination between Chinese and African authorities as they work to identify suspects, disrupt criminal networks and trace financial flows across borders.
