INTERPOL’s operation, codenamed Synergia, has successfully targeted phishing, banking malware, and ransomware, leading to the identification of 1,300 suspicious IP addresses and URLs. Spanning from September to November 2023, the collaborative effort involved 60 law enforcement agencies across 55 countries, aiming to counter the “growth, escalation, and professionalization of transnational cybercrime.” The operation resulted in the detection and takedown of over 70% of malicious servers in Europe, with Hong Kong and Singapore authorities also dismantling significant infrastructure.
Notably, more than 30 house searches were conducted, leading to the confiscation of servers and electronic devices. Seventy suspects have been identified, and 31 have been arrested in Europe, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Singapore-headquartered Group-IB, contributing to the operation, identified over 500 IP addresses hosting phishing resources and more than 1,900 IP addresses associated with ransomware, Trojans, and banking malware operations. The rogue infrastructure was dispersed globally, hosted in countries such as Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore, using resources across more than 200 web hosting providers worldwide.
INTERPOL’s Assistant Director to Cybercrime Directorate, Bernardo Pillot, emphasized the collective efforts in safeguarding the digital space and dismantling the infrastructure behind cyber attacks. The results showcase a commitment to a safer online experience by combating cyber threats on a global scale. Operation Synergia follows other international police interventions, like HAECHI-IV, reflecting INTERPOL’s continuous efforts to tackle various forms of cybercrime and transnational organized crime groups. The agency’s recent focus includes addressing human trafficking-fueled fraud and combating online scams that exploit victims through deceptive job advertisements, illustrating the multifaceted nature of their cybersecurity initiatives.
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