Interpol announced this week the successful dismantling of a widespread cybercrime operation known as Operation Synergia II, which extended its reach from Hong Kong to Estonia. This international law enforcement effort, supported by the private cybersecurity sector, began in April and involved collaboration between law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts from Group-IB, Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Team Cymru.
The operation’s primary focus was on tracking down thousands of servers used in committing cybercrimes such as phishing, infostealers, and ransomware attacks. Interpol revealed that they discovered a total of 30,000 malicious IP addresses, of which 22,000 have already been taken down, along with 59 servers that were seized during the operation.
Law enforcement agencies from various countries joined forces to contribute on-the-ground resources for conducting house searches and seizing electronic devices believed to support the cybercriminal operation. As a result, 41 individuals have been arrested, while 65 others are still under investigation, according to Interpol’s latest report.
Specific actions taken by law enforcement include the takedown of 1,037 servers in Hong Kong, 21 house searches in Mongolia resulting in the identification of 93 individuals linked to cybercrimes, the removal of 291 servers in Macau, the tracking down of 11 suspects in Madagascar, and the confiscation of over 80GB of server data in Estonia for further analysis by Interpol.
Neal Jetton, Interpol’s director of the Cybercrime Directorate, emphasized the importance of a global response to combat cybercrime, highlighting the critical role of collaborative efforts like Operation Synergia II in dismantling malicious infrastructure and preventing potential victims from falling prey to cybercrimes.
“The global nature of cybercrime requires a global response which is evident by the support member countries provided to Operation Synergia II,” Jetton stated. “Together, we’ve not only dismantled malicious infrastructure but also prevented hundreds of thousands of potential victims from falling prey to cybercrime.”
The successful outcome of Operation Synergia II serves as a testament to the power of international cooperation in combating cyber threats and protecting individuals and organizations from malicious activities. It underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance cybersecurity measures and address the evolving challenges posed by cybercriminals worldwide.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts have proven effective in disrupting a significant cybercrime operation, sending a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished. The results achieved through Operation Synergia II demonstrate the impact of global initiatives in safeguarding digital infrastructure and maintaining cybersecurity on a global scale.