NAIROBI, Kenya — An international cybercrime crackdown coordinated by INTERPOL has led to the arrest of 94 suspects and the dismantling of more than 45,000 malicious internet addresses linked to global cybercrime networks.
Authorities said the operation, dubbed Operation Synergia III, ran from July 18, 2025, to January 31, 2026, bringing together law enforcement agencies from 72 countries and territories, including Kenya.
Investigators targeted criminal infrastructure used to launch phishing schemes, malware distribution, and ransomware attacks, dismantling thousands of malicious IP addresses and servers used to host fraudulent websites or conduct cyberattacks.
The coordinated enforcement effort also resulted in the seizure of 212 electronic devices and servers, while an additional 110 suspects remain under investigation, according to INTERPOL.
Cybercrime syndicates frequently operate across borders, relying on stolen login credentials, fake online portals, and compromised servers to target victims worldwide.
“Cybercrime in 2026 is more sophisticated and destructive than ever before,” said Neal Jetton.
“But Operation Synergia III stands as a powerful testament to what global cooperation can achieve.”
Jetton said the initiative brought together law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity firms to disrupt emerging threats, dismantle criminal infrastructure, and protect victims globally.
Wide-ranging fraud schemes
Preliminary investigations across participating countries revealed the varied tactics used by cybercriminal networks.
In Macao, authorities identified more than 33,000 phishing and fraudulent websites masquerading as casinos, banks, government portals, and payment services.
Victims were lured into depositing money or disclosing sensitive data such as passwords and credit card details.
In Togo, police arrested 10 suspects accused of operating an online fraud ring combining hacking with social engineering scams.
Investigators said the suspects hacked social media accounts and impersonated victims to run romance scams and sextortion schemes, convincing friends and relatives to send money.
Meanwhile, authorities in Bangladesh detained 40 suspects linked to cybercrime operations involving job scams, loan fraud, identity theft, and credit card fraud.
Police seized 134 electronic devices believed to be connected to the criminal activities.
Cross-border collaboration
INTERPOL said intelligence gathered from international partners was converted into actionable leads, enabling authorities to conduct coordinated raids and disrupt cybercrime infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions.
Cybersecurity companies, including Group-IB, Trend Micro, and S2W, assisted investigators by tracking malicious servers and analysing digital activity linked to cybercriminal networks.
Countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas participated in the operation, including the United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
INTERPOL noted that previous international operations targeting cybercrime have similarly dismantled thousands of malicious servers and led to multiple arrests, underscoring the growing importance of coordinated global responses to digital threats.
