# Operation Synergia II: A Worldwide Offensive Against Cybercrime
In a major setback for cybercriminals globally, a coalition of international law enforcement agencies, aided by prominent cybersecurity organizations, has effectively dismantled a large network of harmful servers and apprehended many individuals engaged in phishing, ransomware, and data theft operations. Known as **Operation Synergia II**, this joint initiative took place from April to August 2023 and led to the shutdown of over 1,000 servers and the detection of nearly 23,000 malicious IP addresses.
## The Reach of Operation Synergia II
Operation Synergia II was a joint initiative that encompassed several countries and included the collaboration of three leading private cybersecurity companies: **Group-IB**, **Kaspersky**, and **Team Cymru**. These firms supplied essential intelligence and telemetry data that enabled law enforcement to recognize and target harmful infrastructures. The operation culminated in the arrest of 41 individuals, with another 65 still under scrutiny, alongside the confiscation of multiple electronic devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, and hard drives.
### Major Accomplishments of the Operation:
– **1,037 servers** associated with cybercriminal activity were shut down.
– **22,000 IP addresses** were flagged as malicious, with 76% confirmed to be engaging in illegal acts.
– **59 servers** and **43 electronic devices** were seized for more in-depth investigation.
– **41 individuals** were taken into custody, and **65 others** are still under scrutiny.
## A Unified Response to a Universal Threat
The achievements of Operation Synergia II highlight the necessity of global collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. As cybercriminals advance and operate internationally, law enforcement must unite to dismantle these networks. Neal Jetton, Director of the Cybercrime Directorate at INTERPOL, reinforced this message, stating:
> “The worldwide character of cybercrime calls for a global approach, which is reflected in the support provided by member nations for Operation Synergia II. Together, we have not only dismantled harmful infrastructure but have also shielded hundreds of thousands of potential victims from becoming targets of cybercrime.”
### Notable Contributions from Involved Countries:
– **Hong Kong (China):** Authorities deactivated over 1,037 servers connected to illicit activities.
– **Mongolia:** Police executed 21 home searches, confiscated a server, and identified 93 individuals linked to illegal cyber activities.
– **Macau (China):** 291 servers were decommissioned.
– **Madagascar:** Officials identified 11 individuals associated with malicious servers and confiscated 11 electronic devices.
– **Estonia:** Police secured over 80GB of server data, which is currently undergoing analysis for links to phishing and banking malware.
## The Contribution of Private Cybersecurity Firms
The participation of **Group-IB**, **Kaspersky**, and **Team Cymru** was vital to the success of Operation Synergia II. These organizations granted law enforcement access to their extensive databases of telemetry intelligence, assisting in the identification and location of harmful servers. Their efforts included pinpointing **30,000 potentially harmful IP addresses**, with about **22,800** confirmed as being involved in cybercrime.
### The Escalating Threat of Cybercrime
INTERPOL has alerted that cybercrime is increasingly becoming more professional, with criminals employing more advanced tools and methods to execute their attacks. The emergence of **generative AI** has facilitated phishers in creating credible emails in various languages, while the market for logs extracted from **infostealers** has surged by 40% in 2023. Furthermore, ransomware incidents have risen by an average of **70% globally**, further emphasizing the necessity for unified international efforts to tackle these issues.
## The Path Forward for Cybercrime Prevention
Operation Synergia II is a prime example of the successes that can be achieved when law enforcement and private cybersecurity firms collaborate. However, the battle against cybercrime is far from finished. As cybercriminals continue to change and adapt, the strategies to counter them must evolve as well. INTERPOL and its affiliates are dedicated to staying ahead of these threats and ensuring the internet remains a secure space for all.
For additional details regarding the involvement of **Group-IB** and **Team Cymru**, you can read their official announcements [here](https://www.group-ib.com/media-center/press-releases/operation-synergia-2/) and [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/16CVchuNAEsZrHY9CF_jeohMgW6CeTkSf_V43bMXei8A/edit?tab=t.0).
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### Final Thoughts
Operation Synergia II marks a considerable triumph in the ongoing war against cybercrime. By dismantling harmful infrastructure and apprehending pivotal individuals, law enforcement agencies have dealt a substantial hit to cybercriminals across the globe. Nonetheless, the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats necessitates ongoing vigilance and international cooperation.
