With the internet being integral to modern life, various types of fraud are inevitable. These can range from identity theft and fraudulent online transactions to dating scams, all designed to deceive people and steal their money.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), losses in the United States alone surpassed $12.5 billion last year, marking a 22% increase from 2022 and setting a new record high.
INTERPOL’s Operation First Light targeted phishing, investment fraud, fake online shopping sites, romance scams, and impersonation scams worldwide. This led to the arrest of 3,950 suspects and the identification of 14,643 potential suspects.
During the operation, police intercepted approximately $135 million in cash and seized real estate, luxury vehicles, high-end jewelry, and other valuable items worth over $120 million.
"The results of this global police operation are more than just numbers—they represent lives protected, crimes prevented, and a healthier global economy worldwide," said Dr. Isaac Kehinde Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC).
In one instance, authorities in Namibia dismantled an international scam network and rescued 88 young people who were forced into conducting scams.
Cybercrime is a global issue, and the most effective way to combat it is through collaboration. Coordination between Singapore, Hong Kong, and local banks prevented a tech support scam, saving a 70-year-old victim from losing $281,200 in savings. Joint investigations between Brazilian and Portuguese authorities disrupted several global scam networks.
"The world is grappling with the severe challenges of social engineering fraud, and organized crime groups are operating from Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Africa, with victims on every continent,” said Yong Wang, Head of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Beijing. “No country is immune to this type of crime, and combating it requires very strong international cooperation."
INTERPOL has reportedly coordinated First Light operations since 2014.