Catenaa, Tuesday, September 30, 2025-Interpol has confiscated $439 million in criminal proceeds, including $97 million in cryptocurrencies, as part of a multinational crackdown spanning 40 countries targeting cybercrime, investment fraud, and money laundering.
Operation HAECHI VI, conducted from April through August, froze nearly 400 cryptocurrency wallets and over 68,000 bank accounts linked to illicit activity, recovering $16 million in digital assets.
Crimes investigated included illegal gambling, sextortion, e-commerce fraud, and misappropriation of social security funds in Portugal, where 45 suspects were arrested for stealing $270,000 from 531 victims.
Interpol officials emphasized the importance of international cooperation, noting that no single jurisdiction can tackle crypto-enabled crime alone.
Experts from TRM Labs and Chainalysis highlighted that operations like HAECHI VI, Operation Serengeti 2.0 in Africa and the UK, and Operation Destabilise against Russian money laundering networks demonstrate the growing need for cross-border law enforcement collaboration.
The crackdown reflects a broader trend as digital assets increasingly facilitate international financial crime.
Authorities warn that criminal networks are employing shell companies, nested exchanges, and advanced payment systems to conceal transactions, driving the urgency for joint intelligence-sharing and enhanced regulatory frameworks.
Interpol called on member nations to expand participation in such operations to strengthen global financial security.
