The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) announced the arrest of 281 individuals in its first international operation dedicated to combating human trafficking linked to cybercrimes. This emerging phenomenon, initially observed in Southeast Asia, is spreading globally.
INTERPOL’s “Storm Makers 2” operation, conducted between October 16 and 20 in collaboration with 27 countries, targeted criminal networks that force migrants to work in cyber fraud centers. Based in Lyon, France, INTERPOL revealed that the suspects are involved in crimes including human trafficking, forgery, and corruption. Additionally, 149 victims were rescued during the operation.
Victims are often lured through fake job advertisements and forced into online fraud activities, facing severe physical violence. INTERPOL, as reported by the Agence France-Presse, emphasized the growing global scale of this phenomenon.
Rosemary Nalubega, Deputy Director of Vulnerable Communities at INTERPOL, highlighted the increasing human cost of internet fraud centers, stressing the need for global action to combat this crime.
The operation, supported by the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process, Global Affairs Canada, and China’s Ministry of Public Security, involved countries such as Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
The INTERPOL operation, known as “Storm Makers II,” has recently gained significant attention for its global crackdown on human trafficking networks exploiting migrants for cyber fraud.
The operation revealed that the trend of trafficking for cyber scam centers, which began in Southeast Asia, is now spreading globally. Victims are often lured through fake job advertisements and forced to commit various types of online fraud, such as fake cryptocurrency investments and online gambling scams. The operation uncovered that these cyber scam centers are not only located in Southeast Asia but have also appeared in Latin America and other regions.
“Operation Storm Makers II” serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global collaboration to address the expanding threat of human trafficking for cyber fraud. This operation has highlighted the importance of international police cooperation in combating these crimes and protecting vulnerable communities worldwide.
