A large international cybercrime crackdown has led to the shutdown of more than 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers linked to phishing, malware, ransomware and online fraud campaigns. The operation, coordinated by INTERPOL, resulted in the arrest of 94 suspects across multiple countries, while another 110 individuals remain under investigation. Authorities also seized 212 electronic devices and servers during raids conducted in several locations worldwide.
The action was carried out under the third phase of Operation Synergia, which took place between July 18, 2025 and January 31, 2026. Law enforcement agencies from 72 countries and territories participated in the coordinated effort aimed at dismantling cybercriminal infrastructure, disrupting digital threats and protecting potential victims from large-scale online scams. Investigations uncovered several cybercrime groups operating across different regions. In Bangladesh, authorities arrested 40 suspects and confiscated 134 electronic devices connected to offences such as online loan scams, fake job offers, identity theft and credit card fraud. In Togo, 10 suspects were arrested for allegedly running a cyber fraud operation from a residential area. Some members hacked social media accounts, while others carried out social engineering attacks including romance scams and sextortion schemes.
Investigators said criminals often gained unauthorized access to victims’ social media accounts and then impersonated them to contact friends and family members. By building emotional trust or pretending to form romantic relationships, scammers persuaded victims’ contacts to transfer money. Meanwhile, authorities in Macau identified more than 33,000 phishing and fraudulent websites linked to the operation. Many of these platforms were designed as fake online casinos, while others imitated banks, government services and payment platforms to steal personal and financial information.
In India, investigators conducted searches at 15 locations across Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab while probing a transnational network behind online investment and part-time job scams. Authorities arrested Ashok Kumar Sharma, identified as a key member of the syndicate and froze several bank accounts connected to the operation. Investigators found that victims were first encouraged to invest small amounts and shown fake profits to build trust before being persuaded to deposit larger sums. The stolen funds were moved through multiple mule bank accounts, withdrawn from overseas ATMs using internationally enabled debit cards, or converted into cryptocurrency and transferred to digital wallets. Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh warned that criminals increasingly rely on social engineering tactics that exploit human psychology through fake investments, job offers and emotional manipulation. Authorities said further arrests may follow as digital evidence continues to be analysed and financial trails are traced.
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