Interpol’s Operation Synergia II, an international law enforcement effort targeting cybercrime, has successfully disrupted malicious activities across 22,000 IP addresses. Conducted between April and August 2024, the operation spanned 95 countries and resulted in the arrest of 41 individuals tied to cybercriminal activities such as ransomware attacks, phishing schemes, and information stealing. This major operation was made possible by valuable intelligence shared by leading cybersecurity firms like Group-IB, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, and Team Cymru.
A key component of Operation Synergia II was the takedown of over 1,000 servers used in facilitating cybercrime. These servers, spread across various regions, were linked to malicious services targeting unsuspecting victims. Law enforcement efforts resulted in the seizure of 59 servers and 43 electronic devices, which will be analyzed to gather further evidence of cybercrime operations. In addition to arrests, authorities are investigating 65 other individuals suspected of involvement in illicit cyber activities.
The operation targeted multiple regions worldwide, with notable highlights from several countries. In Hong Kong and Macau, police took down hundreds of servers involved in illegal activities. In Mongolia, 21 house searches were conducted, leading to the seizure of a server and the identification of 93 individuals associated with cybercrime. Madagascar authorities uncovered 11 individuals linked to criminal activities, seizing devices for investigation. Estonia played a crucial role in the operation by seizing over 80GB of data tied to phishing and banking malware attacks.
Interpol’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, Neal Jetton, emphasized the global collaboration necessary to tackle cybercrime, stating, “Together, we’ve not only dismantled malicious infrastructure but also prevented hundreds of thousands of potential victims from falling prey to cybercrime.” This operation highlights the growing need for international cooperation to combat the complex and widespread nature of modern cybercrime.
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