In a landmark cybersecurity operation conducted between April and August 2024, Interpol’s Operation Synergia II has achieved unprecedented success in dismantling global cybercriminal infrastructure. The operation resulted in 41 arrests and the disruption of over 1,000 malicious servers, marking a significant victory in the international fight against cybercrime.
Operation Scale and Technical Achievement
The joint law enforcement effort successfully neutralized 1,037 malicious servers and infrastructure components connected to 22,000 IP addresses. Leading cybersecurity firms, including Group-IB, Kaspersky Lab, Trend Micro, and Team Cymru, provided crucial threat intelligence that helped identify more than 30,000 suspicious IP addresses. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and private sector expertise proved instrumental in the operation’s success.
Regional Impact and Enforcement Actions
The operation’s reach extended across Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, with significant results in multiple jurisdictions. Hong Kong authorities successfully disabled over 1,037 malicious servers, while Mongolian law enforcement conducted 20 searches and identified 93 individuals linked to cybercriminal activities. In Macau, authorities seized 291 servers, and Madagascar’s efforts led to the identification of 11 suspects. Estonian law enforcement made substantial progress by securing more than 80 GB of data related to phishing and banking malware operations.
Emerging Cybercrime Trends and Threats
Operation Synergia II revealed concerning developments in cybercriminal tactics. Analysis indicates a 70% increase in ransomware attacks over the past year. Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging generative AI to enhance phishing attacks, while information stealers are being used more frequently as precursors to ransomware deployments. These evolving threats underscore the importance of continued international cooperation in cybercrime prevention.
The success of Operation Synergia II, following its predecessor conducted from September to November 2023, demonstrates significant progress in international cybercrime enforcement capabilities. Compared to the original operation’s results of 31 arrests and 1,300 command-and-control servers taken offline, this latest initiative shows marked improvement in both scope and effectiveness. This achievement highlights the growing sophistication of global cyber enforcement efforts and establishes a new benchmark for future international cybersecurity operations.
