- INTERPOL’s third phase of Operation Synergia led to the takedown of 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers, disrupting phishing, malware, and ransomware campaigns globally.
- The international operation across 72 countries resulted in arrests, device seizures, and the identification of over 33,000 fraudulent websites, many linked to fake casinos and financial institutions.
- India’s CBI conducted searches related to a transnational fraud syndicate that used a Dubai-based fintech platform to scam victims, converting stolen funds into cryptocurrency like USDT.
- Criminals leveraged social media and phishing to execute scams, including romance schemes, fake investments, and unauthorized account access to defraud victims.
In a massive global crackdown announced on March 13, 2026, INTERPOL reported the neutralization of 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers linked to widespread cybercrime according to reports. The initiative, part of Operation Synergia, involved 72 countries and led to 94 arrests and the seizure of 212 electronic devices.
Consequently, specific national operations saw significant results. In Bangladesh, 40 suspects were arrested for offenses including loan and job scams, while Togolese authorities dismantled a residential fraud ring involved in romance scams and sextortion.
Meanwhile, Macau law enforcement identified more than 33,000 phishing websites mimicking casinos, banks, and government services to steal personal data. These illicit sites were designed to trick users into making balance top-ups or revealing sensitive information.
Separately, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) targeted a transnational investment fraud syndicate as stated by the agency. The network used a Dubai-based fintech platform called Pyypl to lure victims with fake online investment and part-time job schemes.
However, the criminal methodology was sophisticated. Stolen funds were quickly moved through mule accounts and cashed out via offshore ATMs or used for wallet top-ups on platforms like Pyypl.
Furthermore, a portion of the illicit proceeds was converted into cryptocurrency. “These entities converted the proceeds into USDT through India-based virtual asset exchanges and transferred the cryptocurrency to their white-listed wallets,” the CBI added.
Consequently, key suspect Ashok Kumar Sharma was taken into custody, and related bank accounts were frozen. The agency has seized digital evidence documenting the syndicate’s operations across several Indian states.
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