INTERPOL has announced the successful takedown of 45,000 malicious internet protocol addresses and servers that were being used in connection with phishing, malware and ransomware campaigns, in a concerted effort involving law enforcement agencies from around the world. The action, announced on Friday, formed part of an international operation spanning 72 countries and territories and was aimed at dismantling criminal networks, disrupting emerging cyber threats and protecting victims from fraudulent schemes. Alongside the disruption of the infrastructure, authorities reported that 94 suspects have been taken into custody, with another 110 individuals remaining under investigation as efforts continue to follow leads and gather further evidence.
During coordinated operations in key regions, a total of 212 electronic devices and servers were seized from various locations, as authorities sought to uncover the extent of the cybercrime networks and their methods of operation. In Bangladesh, a significant sweep resulted in 40 suspects being taken into custody and 134 electronic devices being confiscated in connection with a wide range of offences. These included loan and job scams, identity theft and credit card fraud, all of which were reportedly facilitated through sophisticated use of online platforms and deceptive communications. The Bangladesh operation underscored how organised cybercriminal groups are able to exploit digital channels to target vulnerable individuals, often promising quick financial gains or employment opportunities as lures.
In Togo, local authorities moved against a fraud ring that operated from within a residential area, detaining 10 suspects who were allegedly involved in hacking into social media accounts and conducting elaborate social engineering schemes. According to investigators, after gaining unauthorised access to victims’ accounts, the perpetrators reached out to the contacts of the compromised users, posing as friends or family members. They then engaged these secondary targets in fake romantic engagements and other deceptive interactions designed to manipulate them into transferring funds. These campaigns were said to encompass romance scams and sextortion, in which threats or psychological pressure are applied to extract money.
At the same time, law enforcement in Macau identified more than 33,000 phishing and fraudulent websites linked to fake casinos and sites impersonating banks, government services and payment providers. Many of these sites were constructed to deceive unsuspecting users into topping up accounts or submitting personal information under the guise of accessing gaming services or legitimate financial services. The scale of this component of the operation highlighted how cybercriminals are increasingly using cloned or spoofed websites to harvest credentials and financial data.
This global cybercrime crackdown marks the third phase of Operation Synergia, which was conducted between July 18, 2025 and January 31, 2026. Previous phases in 2023 and 2024 also led to the identification of thousands of malicious servers and numerous detentions, forming part of a sustained effort to target cross-border cyber threats. In related developments in India, Central Bureau of Investigation teams carried out coordinated searches at 15 locations across Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in connection with a large organised fraud linked to online investment and part-time job schemes involving a Dubai-based fintech platform, Pyypl. Authorities said that thousands of Indian citizens were reportedly cheated out of substantial sums through deceptive online schemes that leveraged social media, mobile apps and encrypted messaging services to entice victims with promises of high returns. The CBI has identified key suspects, including Ashok Kumar Sharma, who has been taken into custody, and frozen various bank accounts associated with the syndicate. Evidence seized includes incriminating documents and digital data related to the group’s operations, as investigators work to untangle the complex network of transactions, including those involving cryptocurrencies channelled through virtual asset exchanges.
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