- INTERPOL operation across 97 countries leads to 5,811 arrests and $293M in seized illicit assets.
- Operation First Light 2026 uncovers 142,000 victims of global fraud and social engineering scams.
- Authorities disrupt crypto laundering, impersonation schemes, BEC scams, and other cyber-enabled crimes.
An INTERPOL-led anti-fraud operation spanning 97 countries and territories led to the arrest of 5,811 people and the interception of $293 million in illicit assets.
Operation First Light 2026 ran from January 15 to April 30. It targeted social engineering scams and the money laundering networks that support them. Investigators focused on business email compromise (BEC), romance scams, investment fraud, impersonation schemes, and sextortion.
After an intelligence-gathering phase, law enforcement agencies carried out more than three months of coordinated action. Authorities conducted raids, made arrests, froze bank accounts and virtual asset wallets, and issued INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions.
They also used INTERPOL’s Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism to block illicit transfers involving both fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies.
More Than 142,000 Victims Identified
INTERPOL said the operation identified more than 142,000 victims worldwide. The figure underscores the scale of social engineering scams and their impact on individuals, businesses, and governments.
The operation also delivered significant enforcement results, including:
- Analysis of 152,808 fraud cases
- Resolution of 23,715 cases
- Identification of 15,606 suspects
- Blocking of 31,014 bank accounts
- Issuance of 99 INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions
Tomonobu Kaya, director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, said criminal syndicates continue to exploit human psychology to carry out large-scale fraud. He added that international cooperation remains critical to disrupting cyber-enabled financial crime and the money laundering networks behind it.
Thai Crypto Money Laundering Network Handled $122.5M
Among the operation’s major cases, Thai authorities arrested two suspects linked to a money laundering network. Investigators said the group converted proceeds from romance scams into cryptocurrencies and used cross-chain token swaps to hide transaction trails.
Authorities found that the digital wallet of one 20-year-old suspect processed more than $122.5 million over a 10-month period.
In a separate cryptocurrency-related case, authorities in Palau deported 22 people connected to two scam centers operating from hotels. Investigators said the suspects used cryptocurrency and illegal gambling websites to target victims overseas through online fraud schemes.
Global Cases Reveal Wide Range of Fraud Schemes
In Eswatini, authorities dismantled a criminal network after arresting 82 suspects linked to illegal online gambling, money laundering, and impersonation scams. Police seized 240 electronic devices, foreign currency, and a replica Brazilian police station. The fake set was allegedly used during video calls to convince victims they were speaking with officers from Brazil’s Federal Police.
In Singapore and Oman, authorities used INTERPOL’s I-GRIP system to block a $6.6 million transfer tied to a business email compromise scam. The scheme targeted a Singapore-based commodity trading company.
Meanwhile, police in Macao prevented a victim from losing nearly $372,000. During an anti-fraud awareness campaign, officers discovered that fraudsters posing as public officials were persuading the individual to transfer funds under the pretense of an official investigation.
Related: France Vows Tougher Crackdown as Crypto Wrench Attacks Surge to 77 in H1 2026
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