An international cybercrime crackdown led by INTERPOL has successfully taken down over 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers, targeting networks involved in phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks. The operation, called Operation Synergia III, ran from July 18, 2025, to January 31, 2026, and involved law enforcement agencies from 72 countries, including Nigeria.
During the operation, INTERPOL coordinated arrests of 94 suspects, with 110 more under investigation. Authorities also seized 212 electronic devices and servers used in cybercrime, reflecting the sophisticated methods criminal networks employ to exploit digital platforms. Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate, emphasized the importance of global collaboration in combating these growing threats.
“Cybercrime in 2026 is more sophisticated and destructive than ever before,” Jetton said. “Operation Synergia III demonstrates the power of international cooperation, uniting law enforcement and private sector experts to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt emerging threats, and protect victims worldwide.” Investigations linked to the operation are still ongoing as authorities continue to track additional suspects and dismantle cybercrime infrastructures.
Cybersecurity firms such as Group-IB, Trend Micro, and S2W supported the operation, helping identify malicious infrastructure and trace illegal activities. Authorities across participating countries uncovered the scale and variety of tactics used by cybercriminals. In Macau alone, over 33,000 phishing websites were identified, often masquerading as online casinos or official banking and government sites. Meanwhile, Togo and Bangladesh saw multiple arrests for fraud, romance scams, sextortion, and identity theft.
Operation Synergia III builds on INTERPOL’s previous cybercrime initiatives. Earlier operations like Red Card 2.0 recovered over $4.3 million from cybercriminals across 16 African countries, while another crackdown dismantled more than 11,000 malicious infrastructures, recovering $97.4 million and arresting over 1,200 suspects. Together, these efforts underscore the ongoing threat of cybercrime and the crucial role of international cooperation in keeping digital spaces safe.
source: nairametrics