Operation HAECHI VI Seized $439M from Global Cybercrime Rings
Interpol has announced a major breakthrough in its efforts to combat cybercrime, revealing that Operation HAECHI VI has successfully seized $439 million from global cybercrime rings.
In collaboration with 40 countries and territories, the five-month operation targeted seven types of cyber-enabled financial crimes: voice phishing, romance scams, online sextortion, investment fraud, money laundering associated with illegal online gambling, business email compromise, and e-commerce fraud. The operation resulted in the recovery of $342 million in government-backed currencies, along with $97 million in physical and virtual assets.
Operation HAECHI VI blocked 68,000 bank accounts, froze 400 crypto wallets, and recovered $16 million in illicit crypto profits. This significant haul is a testament to the power of global cooperation in tackling cybercrime.
Country-Specific Success Stories
In Portugal, police broke up a large syndicate that stole €228,000 from 531 vulnerable families by hacking social security accounts and altering bank details. The operation arrested 45 suspects, bringing hope to those affected by the scam.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, police seized $6.6 million from a transnational crime group of Thai and West African nationals who tricked a Japanese firm in a major Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam.
In Korea and the UAE, authorities recovered $3.91 million stolen from a steel company thanks to INTERPOL's I-GRIP stop-payment system, which blocked the transfer after forged shipping documents surfaced.
Expert Insights
"While many people believe that funds lost to fraud and scams are often irretrievable, the outcomes of HAECHI operations demonstrate that recovery is indeed possible," said Theos Badege, Director pro tempore of INTERPOL's Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. "As one of INTERPOL's flagship financial crime operations, HAECHI is a prime example of how global cooperation can protect communities and safeguard financial systems."
"We encourage more member countries to join us in this collective effort, so that meaningful difference can be made in the fight against cyber-enabled crime," Badege added.
A Look Back at Operation HAECHI V
In December 2024, the previous round of the same law enforcement operation, codenamed Operation HAECHI-V, led to more than 5,500 suspects arrested and the seizure of over $400 million. This success story highlights the effectiveness of INTERPOL's coordinated efforts in tackling cybercrime.
Operation HAECHI V targeted cyber frauds like phishing, romance scams, sextortion, investment fraud, online gambling, BEC, and e-commerce fraud. The operation served as a precursor to Operation HAECHI VI, demonstrating the organization's commitment to protecting communities from the scourge of cybercrime.