In a significant victory against cybercrime, Operation HAECHI-V, conducted between July and November 2024, resulted in the arrest of over 5,500 suspects and the seizure of more than $400 million in virtual and fiat currency. The operation, spanning 40 countries, marked a substantial advancement in international law enforcement cooperation.

A notable breakthrough came from the joint effort of Korean and Beijing authorities, who successfully dismantled a major voice phishing syndicate. This criminal network had caused $1.1 billion in financial losses, affecting more than 1,900 victims. The operation led to the arrest of 27 gang members, with 19 facing indictment.

INTERPOL also identified and warned against a new threat – the USDT Token Approval Scam. This scheme combines romance scams with cryptocurrency fraud, where criminals manipulate victims into purchasing Tether (USDT) tokens and gain unauthorized access to their wallets through phishing links.

The success of HAECHI-V builds upon previous operations, including the 2023 campaign that resulted in 3,500 arrests and $300 million in seizures across 34 countries. A parallel African operation led to 1,006 arrests and the elimination of 134,089 malicious networks across 19 countries.

These achievements underscore INTERPOL’s message that international collaboration is essential in fighting borderless cybercrime and protecting global digital financial security.