Interpol Takes Down Cybercrime Network

Uploaded on 2024-11-16 in FREE TO VIEW

Interpol has successfully taken down a massive cyber crime operation in a global crackdown that has targeted phishing, information stealers and ransomware activities.

Named Operation Synergia II, the operation occurred between April 1st and August 31st, 2024, and engaged law enforcement from 95 countries. Authorities arrested 41 individuals and are investigating 65 others linked to the criminal network.

The cyber crime infrastructure targeted by Synergia II consisted of 22,000 malicious IP addresses, a key element used for conducting widespread cybercrime operations.In total, 30,000 suspicious IP addresses were identified, with 76%, nearly 23,000, successfully disabled.

This operation also led to the seizure of 59 servers and 43 electronic devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and hard disks, which will be analysed as part of ongoing investigations.

The six-month operation targeted seven types of scams, including voice phishing, romance scams, sextortion, investment fraud, and money laundering. Operation Synergia II’s success shows the usefulness of international collaboration in combating cybercrime. Amongst the major operations involved in the takedown were extensive raids in Mongolia and Madagascar. In Mongolia, police raided 21 locations, uncovering over 90 individuals involved in cybercrime.

In Madagascar, authorities identified 11 individuals tied to malicious server activities. Additionally, significant server data was seized in Estonia, where more than 80GB of information linked to phishing and banking malware were collected for further analysis.

The focus of Synergia II was to disrupt three of the most damaging forms of cybercrime: phishing, infostealers, and ransomware. Phishing attacks are often the access method used by cyber criminals, enabling malware deployment, data theft, and further attacks within compromised systems.

Infostealers are used to exfiltrate login credentials and financial information, which is either sold on the Dark Web or used in ransomware attacks.

In 2023, ransomware attacks surged globally by 70%, while infostealer logs saw a 40% increase in sales on Dark Web markets. This operation not only targeted criminal infrastructure but also prevented countless potential victims from falling prey to these rising cyber threats.

Neal Jetton, Director of Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate, has played a crucial role in taking down the cyber crime network. “The global nature of cybercrime requires a global response which is evident by the support member countries provided to Operation Synergia II. Together, we’ve not only dismantled malicious infrastructure but also prevented hundreds of thousands of potential victims from falling prey to cybercrime..." Jetton said

It is the powerful global reach of Interpol makes operations like this possible. The largest law enforcement organisation in the world, it has support from 196 nations, the only remaining holdouts are Western Sahara, North Korea, the Pacific island of Kiribati and Taiwan.

Image: @Interpol

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