Kenya joins INTERPOL crackdown as 94 are arrested and 45,000 servers closed
By Aloys Michael, March 13, 2026Kenya has joined a major international effort coordinated by INTERPOL to dismantle cybercrime networks, resulting in the arrest of 94 persons of interest and the closure of more than 45,000 malicious servers.
In a statement on Friday, March 13, 2026, INTERPOL said the operation, named Synergia III, ran from July 18, 2025, to January 31, 2026, and involved law enforcement agencies from 72 countries and territories. Investigators focused on the criminal infrastructure behind phishing schemes, ransomware attacks, and malware distribution worldwide.
“5,000 malicious IP addresses taken down in global operation targeting phishing, malware and ransomware. During the crackdown, authorities seized 212 electronic devices and servers, while another 110 suspects remain under investigation,” the authority wrote on X.
“Cybercrime in 2026 is more sophisticated and destructive than ever before. But Operation Synergia III stands as a powerful testament to what global cooperation can achieve.”
The sleuths emphasised that the operation united law enforcement and cybersecurity firms to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt emerging threats, and protect victims.
Investigations across participating nations revealed the wide-ranging methods used by cybercriminals. In Macao, police identified over 33,000 phishing and fraudulent websites masquerading as banks, casinos, government portals, and payment services.
Victims were tricked into depositing money or revealing personal information like passwords and credit card details.
In Togo, authorities arrested 10 persons of interest linked to an online fraud ring combining hacking with social engineering.
The group is said to have hacked social media accounts to impersonate victims, running romance scams and sextortion schemes targeting friends and family for money.
Bangladesh saw 40 arrests in connection with cybercrime operations involving job and loan scams, identity theft, and credit card fraud, with police seizing 134 electronic devices.
INTERPOL coordinated intelligence from partner organisations into actionable leads, enabling cross-border investigations, raids, and server takedowns.
The operation also involved cybersecurity companies such as Group IB, Trend Micro, and S2W, which helped track malicious servers and online criminal activity.
Countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas participated, including the United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
Cybercrime continues to grow as criminals exploit digital platforms and global financial systems. Previous INTERPOL operations have similarly disrupted thousands of malicious servers and led to multiple arrests worldwide.