Interpol-led sweep targets global cybercrime operations

• Operation, codenamed Operation Synergia III, targeted phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks.

Interpol has taken down tens of thousands of IP addresses and servers hosting cybercrime operations—including fake casinos and sextortion schemes—in a coordinated crackdown spanning 72 countries and territories.

The operation, codenamed Operation Synergia III, targeted phishing, malware, and ransomware, leading to 94 arrests and another 110 suspects under investigation. Authorities seized 212 electronic devices during raids conducted from July 2025 to January 2026.

“Cybercrime in 2026 is more sophisticated and destructive than ever before, but Operation Synergia III stands as a powerful testament to what global cooperation can achieve,” said Neal Jetton, head of Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate.

As part of the effort, law enforcement in Macau identified more than 33,000 phishing and fraudulent websites, including fake casinos and pages impersonating government and payment services. Interpol said many scams lured victims into topping up accounts on fraudulent sites or stealing personal and credit card data.

Stats

In Togo, police arrested 10 suspects in a fraud ring that blended technical intrusions—such as social media account takeovers—with social engineering schemes, including romance scams and sextortion. After hijacking accounts, criminals posed as the account holder to manipulate contacts into sending money.

Bangladesh authorities arrested 40 suspects and seized 134 devices tied to loan and job scams, identity theft, and credit card fraud. Several investigations remain ongoing, Interpol said.

The latest sweep follows prior actions: in June 2025, Interpol disrupted 20,000 malicious IP addresses and domains linked to infostealer malware, and in August it dismantled 11,500 cybercriminal networks across Africa, with 1,200 arrests connected to schemes stealing nearly half a billion dollars from thousands of victims.

Related posts:

• Meta and global police dismantle Southeast Asia scam networks