INTERPOL’s Operation HAECHI, involving 40 countries including India, has successfully recovered approximately $439 million linked to cyber fraud. This sum comprises $342 million in government funds and $97 million in cash and virtual assets. The operation, which took place between April and August, involved blocking over 68,000 bank accounts and freezing nearly 400 crypto wallets. Additionally, INTERPOL seized $16 million from crypto wallets believed to be illicitly obtained through cybercrimes.
The initiative specifically targeted seven types of cyber fraud, ranging from voice phishing and romance scams to investment schemes. The specific fraud types included voice phishing, romance scams, online sextortion, investment fraud, money laundering connected to illegal online gambling, business email compromise, and e-commerce fraud. The Philippines conducted investigations linked to POGO activities. Macau, China, saw raids against gangs involved in mobile and online payment platform fraud. Brazil worked to prevent electronic banking fraud. Portugal dismantled a gang stealing from social security funds, leading to the arrest of 45 individuals and the recovery of €228,000. Thailand prevented the theft of $6.6 million via business email scams. Malaysia seized numerous laptops and SIM cards from scam gangs. The Korea-Dubai link resulted in the recovery and return of 6.6 billion KRW (approximately $3.91 million) through the I-GRIP system. The operation was described by Theos Badege, the director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, as an excellent example of global collaboration.