Operation First Light Cracks Down on Global Scam Networks

Interpol's Operation First Light, a comprehensive initiative involving 61 countries, has successfully dismantled extensive online scam networks. This large-scale operation led to the freezing of 6,745 bank accounts, the seizure of assets worth $257 million—including $2 million in cryptocurrency—and the arrest of 3,950 individuals. The operation focused on various types of online fraud, significantly mitigating the risk to investors and other potential victims.

• Defendant: Multiple individuals (3,950 suspects arrested).
• Crime: Online scam network involvement, including phishing, investment fraud, fake online shopping sites, romance scams, and impersonation scams.
• Amount Defrauded: $257 million, including $2 million in cryptocurrency.
• Method: Various online scams targeting victims globally.
• Sentence: Ongoing investigations, no specific sentences reported yet.
• Additional Penalties: Seizure of real estate, luxury vehicles, high-end jewelry, and other valuable items worth over $120 million.
• Investigation: Conducted by Interpol with the involvement of 61 countries and the use of Interpol's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism.
• Plea: Not applicable as the investigation is ongoing.
• Prosecutor's Statement: Not provided in the source material.

Operation First Light began in 2023 and concluded with its final tactical phase from March to May 2024. The operation was supported by China's Ministry of Public Security and ended with a strategic meeting in Tianjin. Since 2014, Interpol has been coordinating these efforts to enhance international cooperation against social engineering and telecom fraud.

Interpol's Operation First Light, a global initiative involving 61 countries, has delivered a substantial blow to online scam networks. This comprehensive effort resulted in the freezing of 6,745 bank accounts and the seizure of $257 million in assets, including $2 million in cryptocurrency. The operation targeted various forms of online fraud, leading to the arrest of 3,950 individuals and identifying 14,643 potential suspects. The final tactical phase concluded in May 2024, with significant international cooperation and strategic planning to combat these fraudulent activities. Utilizing Interpol's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments mechanism, authorities intercepted large sums of illicit proceeds, further crippling the operations of these scam networks.