INTERPOL arrests 201 suspects in largest cybercrime operation to date

INTERPOL announced the successful conclusion of Operation Ramz, its largest cybercrime operation to date, spanning 13 countries across the Middle East and North Africa. The operation, which ran from October 2025 to February 2026, resulted in the arrest of 201 individuals and focused on neutralizing phishing and malware threats while combating cyber scams that have caused significant financial losses in the region.

Operation Ramz aimed to disrupt malicious infrastructure, identify and apprehend suspects, and prevent future losses. Beyond the arrests, authorities identified 382 additional suspects and seized 53 servers. The investigation also uncovered 3,867 victims. To aid ongoing investigations, INTERPOL facilitated the sharing of nearly 8,000 critical pieces of data and intelligence among the participating countries.

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In a world where cybercriminals exploit the digital landscape without borders, Operation Ramz demonstrates the effectiveness of global collaboration.

Key successes included identifying and securing infected devices in Qatar, uncovering a financial fraud operation involving a fake trading platform in Jordan where 15 individuals were identified as victims of human trafficking, and disabling a vulnerable server in Oman containing sensitive information. Algerian authorities dismantled a phishing-as-a-service website, while Moroccan authorities seized devices and banking data linked to phishing operations, leading to judicial proceedings for three individuals.

Neal Jetton, INTERPOL's Director of Cybercrime, emphasized the operation's success, stating, "In a world where cybercriminals exploit the digital landscape without borders, Operation Ramz demonstrates the effectiveness of global collaboration." He added that INTERPOL remains dedicated to working with member countries and private sector partners to dismantle criminal infrastructure, disrupt groups, and bring perpetrators to justice. The operation also involved collaboration with cybersecurity partners like Group-IB and Kaspersky.

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INTERPOL is dedicated to working with its member countries and private sector partners to dismantle malicious infrastructure, disrupt criminal groups, and bring perpetrators to justice.