Interpol cybercrime crackdown leads to seizure of $130M

BleepingComputer reports that Interpol was able to grab $130 million in cash and virtual assets as part of a global cybercrime crackdown dubbed "HAECHI III" that transpired between June 28 and November 23. Aside from arresting 975 individuals resulting in the resolution of more than 1,600 cases, Interpol was also able to block nearly 2,800 bank and virtual asset accounts associated with proceeds from romance scams, investment fraud, voice phishing, and sextortion schemes. Sixteen new cybercrime trends, including new investment fraud and romance scams, have also been identified in the HAECHI III operation, which has led to the arrest of two Koreans in Italy and Greece who have stolen more than $29 million from 2,000 Korea-based victims, as well as the apprehension of an Indian crime operation that has stolen $159,000 in cryptocurrency by masquerading as Interpol officers. Meanwhile, Interpol's anti-money laundering rapid response protocol mechanism has resulted in the return of $1.25 million to an Irish firm impacted by a business email compromise attack.