December 19, 2023

In a landmark crackdown against financial cybercrime, INTERPOL Operation HAECHI IV, spearheaded by INTERPOL, has culminated in the arrest of nearly 3,500 suspects and the seizure of around USD 300 million across 34 countries. Running from July to December 2023, this six-month operation focused on seven types of cyber-enabled scams, including voice phishing, romance scams, online sextortion, and more.

The success of INTERPOL Operation HAECHI IV was underpinned by the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement agencies, which played a crucial role in tracking online fraud and freezing illicit bank and virtual asset service provider accounts. This was facilitated by INTERPOL’s I-GRIP system, designed to halt criminal financial flows across borders.

A significant breakthrough was the arrest in Manila of a high-profile online gambling kingpin, a result of a two-year joint effort between Filipino and Korean authorities. This operation led to the blocking of 82,112 suspicious bank accounts and the confiscation of significant sums in both hard currency and virtual assets.

INTERPOL’s Stephen Kavanagh underscored the operation’s importance, highlighting the 200% increase in arrests compared to previous initiatives. He stressed the need for continued vigilance and adaptive strategies against the evolving tactics of online fraudsters (Interpol.int, 2023).

The operation also focused on dismantling larger criminal networks. In Manila, authorities disbanded an extensive illegal gambling network, demonstrating the effectiveness of international cooperation. Additionally, two Purple Notices were issued during the operation, alerting member countries to emerging fraudulent practices involving NFTs and AI technology in scams.

Supported by Korea, INTERPOL Operation HAECHI IV saw participation from countries across continents, including Argentina, Australia, the United States, and many more. A post-operational meeting in Singapore provided a platform for analyzing results and strategizing future operations.

Kim Dong Kwon, from INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Korea, lauded the operation’s impact, emphasizing the evolving scope of Project HAECHI to counteract the advancement of cybercriminals (Interpol.int, 2023). This operation represents a significant stride in the global fight against cybercrime, demonstrating the power of international cooperation in tackling complex and borderless cyber threats.

Additional information can be found here:
Interpol – USD 300 million seized and 3,500 suspects arrested in international financial crime operation

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