CCID Cracks Down On Bankak Crooks

Ret. Brig.Gen. Omar Mohamed Osman

In a display of heightened security vigilance against emerging crimes, the Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCI) has successfully dealt two significant blows to digital fraud gangs known as the “Bankak Gangs.” The CCI forces apprehended members of two gangs in Khartoum and Port Sudan, whose fraudulent activities, using forged Bankak applications receipts, totaled over 102 million Sudanese pounds (102 billion pounds in the old currency).

The term “Central” is perhaps the most widely used acronym for the department. It has gained widespread recognition among citizens and even in everyday speech. In fact, it is sometimes referred to in colloquial Sudanese Arabic as “Karmaziya,” due to its powerful and awe-inspiring connotations that inspire fear in heats of lawbreakers. The mere mention of the name is enough to send shivers down the spines of anyone contemplating compromising security or violating people’s rights.

These efforts are undoubtedly a commendable achievement, reflecting the magnitude of the challenge posed by these types of crimes, especially given the enormous and rapid returns they offer, making them attractive to those with weak morals. This underscores that the economics of digital crime have become a reality requiring a comprehensive approach.

It is clear that the government of Sudan is devoting increasing attention to the digital transformation file. A specialized ministry has been established to lead comprehensive efforts to modernize the digital infrastructure. This includes the establishment of the Sudanese Cyber-security Authority (SCA), aimed at strengthening digital sovereignty, building national capabilities, and securing government data. Additionally, the “SudaPass” system was launched as a cornerstone of the cyber-security system within the sector reform strategy.

In this context, the experience of Botswana is worth noting. It is considered one of the most prominent success stories on the African continent over the past two years (2025–2026), having succeeded in reducing digital fraud rates to only about 1.0% in the first half of 2025, one of the lowest rates regionally. This was achieved through what can be termed the “triangle of stability,” based on legislative firmness, technological development, and public awareness.

In my view, we need to adopt a similar approach based on the integration of these three pillars, with particular attention to the technical and institutional role, and support for the Central Criminal Investigation Department, which operates with limited resources yet achieves tangible successes.

We hope that this support will not be limited to the Ministry of Interior and the Police Directorate, but will extend to other partners, including the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Communications, the Bank of Sudan, banks that offer widely used banking applications, and telecommunications companies, as they are key players in the digital security system.

In this context, I believe that the current stage requires a shift from individual efforts to organized and sustainable institutional action, by considering the establishment of a national fund to combat digital fraud, with contributions from relevant entities, primarily the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Communications, the Bank of Sudan, commercial banks, and telecommunications companies. This fund is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the capabilities of the Central Criminal Investigation Department, whether in terms of training, technology, or modern work methods, enabling it to keep pace with the rapid evolution of digital crime techniques.

This moment also presents an opportunity to reiterate a proposal we previously put forward: the necessity of establishing a Supreme Ministerial Council for Combating Crime, similar to the Traffic Safety Coordination Council or the Supreme Council for Civil Defense. This council would be responsible for setting general policies, coordinating efforts among judicial and security agencies and relevant bodies, and ensuring the integration of roles in confronting various forms of crime, including emerging and digital crimes.

Such steps would shift the focus from reactive to proactive institutional action, enhancing the state’s effectiveness in protecting its citizens and safeguarding its achievements in the digital transformation process.

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