Luanda, Aug. 26, 2026 (Lusa) - An alleged member of an international cybercrime network targeting banks has been extradited from Portugal to Angola, where a further ten suspects are currently in custody, Angolan authorities have reported.
In a statement, «the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) reported that on Tuesday 25 August, it received, via extradition from the Portuguese Republic», the suspect, an Angolan who had fled to Portugal.
The man, a former bank employee, was wanted by the Angolan authorities for allegedly belonging to «an international criminal network under investigation for cyberattacks against Angolan banking institutions».
The police investigation, described as «highly complex», began in January 2025 and, according to the SIC, «led to the identification of a structured criminal organisation».
The alleged organisation was «composed of Angolan and foreign nationals from Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin and Lebanon, with a division of labour and operations targeting banking institutions in Angola and other countries in the region».
The statement adds that the investigation identified «successful attacks and attempted attacks» and that the authorities' intervention prevented some of these attempts from being carried out and safeguarded significant sums of money.
The suspect, who has now been extradited, was working at the time at a bank in the municipality of Negage, in the province of Uíge, Angola.
According to the authorities, «he is believed to have shared his access credentials and introduced computer equipment into the bank's internal network, thereby enabling remote access to the institution's systems».
The attack took place in January 2025 and, according to the investigation, resulted in financial losses exceeding six billion kwanzas (€5.6 million).
The SIC also states that «following the attack, the suspect travelled to Portugal – a trip funded by the criminal network itself – where he is believed to have received his financial reward and continued to assist in the recruitment of bank staff».
The investigation led to the arrest of 10 individuals, who are currently in pre-trial detention, whilst «measures aimed at locating and arresting other members of the organisation» are continuing in Angola and abroad.
The extradition from Portugal to Angola was the result of international police and judicial cooperation in the fight against organised cybercrime and financial crime.
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