INTERPOL Busts Cybercrime Networks Across MENA

INTERPOL has successfully coordinated a large-scale cybercrime operation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), resulting in 201 arrests and the identification of 382 additional suspects linked to phishing, malware, and online fraud activities.

The operation, named “Operation Ramz,” was conducted between October 2025 and February 2026 with the participation of 13 countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Authorities also identified more than 3,800 victims and seized 53 malicious servers used in cybercriminal operations.

One of the major takedowns involved a phishing-as-a-service infrastructure discovered in Algeria, where authorities confiscated servers, storage devices, and phishing software used to conduct large-scale cyber scams. In Morocco, investigators seized devices containing banking information and tools used for phishing campaigns.

Authorities in Oman and Qatar also discovered compromised servers and infected systems unknowingly being used to spread malicious activity. These systems were secured to prevent further abuse.

In Jordan, investigators uncovered a financial fraud operation that tricked victims into investing in fake trading platforms. Authorities later discovered that several individuals involved were actually victims of human trafficking who had been forced to participate in the scam after being recruited through false job offers.

The operation highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, especially as phishing, malware distribution, and financial fraud continue to target organizations and individuals worldwide.

Security experts emphasize that cybercrime networks operate across borders, making collaboration between governments, law enforcement agencies, and private cybersecurity companies essential for disrupting malicious infrastructure and protecting digital ecosystems.

Reference:
https://thehackernews.com/2026/05/interpol-operation-ramz-disrupts-mena.html

• This topic was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by Rameses Quiambao.