45,000 malicious IP addresses taken down in international cyber operation

An international cybercrime operation has taken down more than 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers involved in phishing, malware and ransomware, according to Interpol. Law enforcement from 72 countries and territories participated in Operation Synergia III, which ran from 18 July 2025 to 31 January 2026, and led to the arrest of 94 people with another 110 individuals still under investigation.

During the operation, Interpol transformed data into actionable intelligence, aided cross-border collaboration, and provided tactical support to member countries, culminating in raids on key locations and the disruption of numerous malicious activities. In total, 212 electronic devices and servers were seized.

Neal Jetton, Interpol’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, said that 2026 cybercrime is more sophisticated and destructive than ever, but Operation Synergia III demonstrates what global cooperation can achieve, with Interpol uniting law enforcement and private sector partners to dismantle criminal networks and protect victims worldwide. Source: Interpol.