TLDR Interpol’s Operation First Light 2026 led to 5,811 arrests across 97 countries and territories. Authorities seized $293 million in illicit assets tied to social engineering scams. Illegal online gambling networks turned up in fraud investigations in Eswatini and Palau. Police in Eswatini found a fake Brazilian police station built to trick scam victims. The operation ran from January 15 to April 30 and identified more than 142,000 victims.
Interpol has wrapped up one of its largest anti-fraud operations to date. The effort, called Operation First Light 2026, ran from January 15 to April 30 this year.
Police across 97 countries and territories took part. The campaign led to 5,811 arrests and the seizure of $293 million in illicit assets.
The operation focused on social engineering scams. This is fraud that tricks victims into handing over money or personal information through trust rather than hacking.
Common examples include romance scams, sextortion, fake investment offers, and impersonation. Investigators also tracked the networks that launder the stolen money.
Interpol reviewed 152,808 cases during the operation. Officers closed 23,715 of them, blocked 31,014 bank accounts, and identified over 15,600 new suspects.
Tomonobu Kaya, director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, said criminal groups “exploit human psychology to manipulate their targets.” He added that the problem can hit any country.
Illegal Gambling Networks Surface
Two of the case studies Interpol shared involved illegal gambling. In Eswatini, police arrested 82 people and shut down an illegal online gambling operation tied to money laundering and impersonation scams.
Officers also found a fake Brazilian police station. It had uniforms, signage, and equipment, all used to convince victims they were talking to real officers.
The scammers used video calls to pose as Brazil’s Federal Police. They pressured targets into moving money into so-called “safekeeping”