An international law enforcement operation involving 72 countries and territories, including the UAE, has dismantled thousands of online criminal networks and shut down more than 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers used for phishing, malware and ransomware attacks, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) said on Friday.
The initiative, known as Operation Synergia III, ran from July 18, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Authorities arrested 94 suspects during the operation, while another 110 individuals remain under investigation as inquiries continue in multiple jurisdictions.
Law enforcement agencies also seized 212 electronic devices and servers during coordinated raids aimed at dismantling the infrastructure used by cybercriminal groups. According to Interpol, technical intelligence gathered during the operation was converted into operational leads that allowed investigators to identify compromised servers, trace digital activity and disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.
Neal Jetton, director of Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate, said the operation highlights the importance of international collaboration in combating increasingly complex cyber threats.
“Cybercrime in 2026 is more sophisticated and destructive than ever before, but Operation Synergia III shows what can be achieved when countries work together,” Jetton said. He added that Interpol continues to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and private-sector partners to dismantle criminal organisations and protect victims.
Preliminary investigations carried out by participating countries revealed the variety of tactics used by cybercriminals to target individuals and businesses.
Authorities in Macau uncovered more than 33,000 phishing and fraudulent websites. Many of these sites were designed to imitate casinos, banks, government agencies and digital payment services. Victims were often tricked into transferring money through fake platforms or unknowingly shared personal and credit card details that were later exploited by criminals.
In Togo, police arrested 10 suspects accused of operating a fraud network from a residential neighbourhood. Investigators said some members of the group specialised in hacking social media accounts, while others conducted social-engineering scams including romance fraud and sextortion schemes.
Once access to victims’ accounts was gained, suspects allegedly contacted the victims’ friends and family members while pretending to be the account holder. Investigators said the criminals sometimes attempted to build fake romantic relationships or requested money transfers under false pretences.
Authorities in Bangladesh reported the arrest of 40 suspects linked to various cybercrime activities. Police also seized 134 electronic devices believed to have been used in schemes involving job scams, loan fraud, identity theft and credit card fraud.
Interpol said the operation was supported by cybersecurity firms Group-IB, Trend Micro and S2W, which helped investigators track suspicious online activity and identify malicious servers used by criminal networks.
Officials said investigations are continuing across several countries, and further arrests could follow as digital evidence seized during the operation is analysed.
