Global Interpol operation against financial fraud included Colombia
An international police deployment coordinated by Interpol led to the arrest of thousands of people across nearly one hundred territories, with Colombian participation, as part of an offensive against digital fraud and money laundering.
Global Interpol operation against financial fraud included Colombia
A police offensive with global reach, organised by Interpol between mid-January and late April, concluded with the apprehension of thousands of suspects in dozens of countries. Colombia was part of this joint effort, according to reports from El Colombiano.
The deployment, whose results were recently made public, produced striking figures: approximately six thousand detainees across ninety-seven nations, more than one hundred and forty thousand identified victims and nearly three hundred million dollars in assets of illicit origin frozen. In addition, thousands of judicial proceedings advanced for economic crimes.
Investigators focused on deception schemes that manipulate people's trust. Among them are identity theft, alleged investment opportunities, false romantic relationships conducted online, sexual coercion for extortion purposes and fraudulent emails impersonating companies.
During the four months of work, more than one hundred and fifty thousand files were reviewed, approximately twenty-four thousand cases were resolved and more than thirty thousand bank accounts were blocked. Over fifteen thousand suspects also came under scrutiny.
One of the most significant blows was struck in Eswatini, where a network dedicated to illegal gambling, money laundering and impersonation was dismantled. Eighty-two people were arrested. This group operated from a fake police station, equipped with counterfeit uniforms and equipment, to deceive their targets and convince them to transfer money supposedly for safekeeping.
On the other side of Asia, Thai authorities dismantled an organisation that converted proceeds from romance scams into cryptocurrency. A twenty-year-old is believed to have moved more than one hundred and twenty-two million dollars in just ten months.
Singapore and Oman managed to intercept an illegal transfer of 6.6 million dollars linked to corporate email fraud. Meanwhile, in Palau they expelled twenty-two people connected to two scam centres set up inside hotels.
Tomonobu Kaya, who heads Interpol's Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Centre, stated that these deceptions constitute a grave risk that no single state can tackle alone. He emphasised that international cooperation is essential to dismantle criminal networks that move capital illegally.
Alongside Colombia, the Latin American region contributed forces from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Paraguay and Uruguay. Spain and other nations also took part in the operation.
Source: Google News CO — Crime