March 13, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Nigeria has joined dozens of countries in a major international crackdown on cybercrime networks coordinated by INTERPOL, leading to the shutdown of more than 45,000 malicious online infrastructures linked to fraud, phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks.
The global operation, codenamed Operation Synergia III, involved law enforcement agencies from 72 countries and territories and was carried out between July 18, 2025, and January 31, 2026.
According to INTERPOL, the coordinated effort resulted in the takedown of over 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers, while 94 suspects were arrested and 110 others remain under investigation across several jurisdictions.
Investigators said intelligence gathered during the operation was transformed into actionable leads that enabled authorities worldwide to conduct raids, dismantle cybercrime infrastructure, and seize devices used by criminal networks.
In total, 212 electronic devices and servers were confiscated as law enforcement agencies targeted groups responsible for phishing campaigns, ransomware attacks, and other online fraud schemes.
Speaking on the operation’s outcome, Neal Jetton, Director of the Cybercrime Directorate at INTERPOL, said the global threat posed by cybercriminals continues to evolve rapidly.
“Cybercrime in 2026 is more sophisticated and destructive than ever before, but Operation Synergia III stands as a powerful testament to what global cooperation can achieve,” he said.
He added that INTERPOL will continue working closely with law enforcement agencies and private sector partners to dismantle criminal networks and protect victims worldwide.
Preliminary findings from the operation revealed the diverse tactics used by cybercriminal groups.
In Macau, authorities discovered over 33,000 phishing and fraudulent websites linked to fake casino platforms and impersonations of banks, government portals, and payment service providers. Victims were often tricked into depositing funds or unknowingly providing sensitive financial information.
Meanwhile, police in Togo arrested 10 suspects believed to be part of a cyber fraud ring operating from a residential area. Investigators said the group specialized in hacking social media accounts and carrying out scams including romance fraud and sextortion.
The suspects reportedly used stolen social media accounts to contact victims’ friends and relatives, impersonating the account holders to request emergency financial assistance or build fake romantic relationships.
In Bangladesh, law enforcement officials arrested 40 suspects and seized 134 electronic devices connected to multiple cybercrime schemes, including loan scams, fake job offers, identity theft, and credit card fraud.
During the operation, INTERPOL also collaborated with leading cybersecurity firms such as Group-IB, Trend Micro, and S2W to track malicious digital infrastructure and identify servers used to launch cyberattacks.
African countries that participated in the operation included Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, alongside partners from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
INTERPOL noted that cybercrime networks increasingly operate across borders, making international intelligence sharing and collaboration with private cybersecurity companies essential in tackling the growing digital threat.
— SUNTV Global Channel Reporting 🌍💻📡
