LYON, France – A massive police operation across 61 countries has struck a significant blow to online scam networks.
This operation, called Operation First Light 2024, resulted in the freezing of 6,745 bank accounts and the seizure of assets totaling USD 257 million.
It also disrupted numerous international organized crime networks involved in these scams.
Key Outcomes
During the operation, 3,950 people were arrested, and 14,643 potential suspects were identified worldwide. Authorities intercepted USD 135 million in regular currency and USD 2 million in cryptocurrency.
Other assets worth over USD 120 million, including real estate, luxury vehicles, and high-end jewelry, were also confiscated.
Operation Highlights
In Hong Kong, multiple arrests targeted phishing, investment fraud, fake online shopping sites, romance scams, and impersonation scams.
In Brazil, Federal Police seized luxury items such as branded products, expensive jewelry, laptops, and phones.
In Namibia, 88 local youths forced into scams were rescued, and authorities seized 163 computers and 350 mobile phones.
Tools and Collaboration
INTERPOL used the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism to trace and intercept crime proceeds in both fiat and cryptocurrency.
In Spain and Australia, police intercepted USD 331,000 in a business email scam and recovered AUD 5.5 million (USD 3.7 million) for an impersonation scam victim.
In Singapore, collaboration between local police and banks prevented a tech support scam, saving a 70-year-old victim from losing SGD 380,000 (USD 281,200).
Statements
Dr. Isaac Kehinde Oginni, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, stated that these results go beyond numbers—they represent lives saved, crimes stopped, and a safer global economy.
By confiscating significant amounts of money and disrupting criminal networks, they protect communities and hit transnational crime groups hard.
Yong Wang, Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Beijing, emphasized that social engineering fraud is a global challenge, with organized crime groups operating worldwide and victims on every continent. No country is immune, and strong international cooperation is essential.
Future Plans
The operation was backed by four regional policing bodies: AFRIPOL, ASEANAPOL, GCCPOL, and Europol. China’s Ministry of Public Security funded the operation and hosted the concluding meeting in Tianjin, where countries analyzed results, shared intelligence, and planned future actions.
Background
Operation First Light has been ongoing since 2014, aiming to enhance cooperation and efforts by member countries to fight social engineering and telecom fraud. The 2024 operation started in 2023 and had its final phase from March to May 2024.