Operation First Light 2024 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], a global police operation funded by China’s Ministry of Public Security and led by Interpol, successfully dismantled online scam networks involving 61 countries [5].
Description
The operation resulted in the arrest of 3950 suspects and the identification of 14,643 more [3] [4]. Authorities froze 6745 bank accounts and seized assets worth $257 million [2] [4] [5]. Various scams [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], including phishing [2] [4], investment fraud [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], fake online shopping sites [1] [2] [3], romance scams [1] [3] [5] [6], and impersonation scams [1] [2] [3], were targeted and disrupted. Police intercepted approximately $135 million in fiat currency and $2 million in cryptocurrency [1] [2] [4] [6], while over $120 million worth of assets were confiscated [4], including real estate [3] [4] [5], vehicles [3] [4] [5], jewellery [3], and other high-value items [3]. Notable achievements were made in regions such as Hong Kong [4], Brazil [2] [3] [4], and Namibia [2] [3] [4] [5], where a sophisticated international scam network was dismantled [2] [3] [4], and 88 youths were rescued from conducting scams [4]. Joint investigations between authorities in Brazil and Portugal also disrupted several scam networks operating globally [3]. Interpol’s General Secretariat headquarters played a crucial role in analyzing data and supporting local police efforts [4], with the operation utilizing the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism to trace and intercept illicit proceeds [4]. Dr. Isaac Kehinde Oginni [4], Director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre [4], emphasized the operation’s broader impact beyond financial metrics [4], highlighting lives protected and crimes prevented [4]. The operation concluded with a meeting in Tianjin, where participating countries analyzed results [4], shared intelligence [4], and planned future operations [4]. Additionally, the operation led to the rescue of 88 local youths forced into conducting scams in Namibia and prevented a tech support scam in Singapore [5], saving a 70-year-old victim from losing SGD380,000 [5].
Conclusion
Operation First Light 2024 had significant impacts in dismantling online scam networks, protecting lives [6], and preventing crimes. The operation’s success highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime [6]. Moving forward, continued collaboration and intelligence sharing among countries will be crucial in addressing evolving online threats.
References
[1] https://news.cloudsek.com/2024/06/operation-first-light-2024-61-countries-collaborate-to-cripples-online-scam-networks-arrest-3950-scammers-seizes-usd-257-million/
[2] https://corksafetyalerts.com/news/global-police-operation-freezes-over-6700-bank-accounts-and-seizes-usd-257-million-in-online-scam-crackdown/
[3] https://www.eurasiareview.com/27062024-257-million-seized-in-global-police-crackdown-against-online-scams/
[4] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/operation-first-light-seizes/
[5] https://thecrimesscene.wordpress.com/2024/06/27/257m-seized-in-global-police-crackdown-on-online-scams/
[6] https://scamsnow.com/interpol-operation-first-light-with-3950-arrests-2024/
