INTERPOL-Led Operation Ramz Nets 201 Arrests Across 13 Countries
Summary
INTERPOL says Operation Ramz, conducted with 13 Middle East and North Africa countries, led to 201 arrests, the seizure of 53 servers, and the identification of 382 suspects linked to cybercrime affecting nearly 4,000 victims.
Key points
- INTERPOL coordinated the four-month Operation Ramz with 13 countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
- Authorities made 201 arrests and seized 53 servers, according to INTERPOL.
- The operation targeted phishing services, malware activity, scams, and other cybercrime operations.
- Investigators identified 382 suspects and linked the activity to nearly 4,000 victims.
- In Jordan, police found 15 people forced or coerced into scam work; two alleged ringleaders were arrested.
- Authorities in Algeria, Morocco, Oman, and Qatar also seized or secured devices and servers connected to cybercrime activity.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Regional law enforcement operation targeting cybercrime, including phishing services, malware activity, and scam operations.
- Impact
- Operation Ramz resulted in 201 arrests, the seizure of 53 servers, and the disruption of multiple cybercrime services. Investigators identified 382 suspects and linked activity to nearly 4,000 victims. In Jordan, authorities found 15 people coerced into carrying out scams who were victims of human trafficking; two alleged ringleaders were arrested.
People
Vendors
Group-IBand helped link the criminal activity to nearly 4,000 victims, with support from companies including Group-IB, Kaspersky, Shadowserver Foundation, Team Cymru, and Trend Micro.Kasperskylink the criminal activity to nearly 4,000 victims, with support from companies including Group-IB, Kaspersky, Shadowserver Foundation, Team Cymru, and Trend Micro.Team Cymru4,000 victims, with support from companies including Group-IB, Kaspersky, Shadowserver Foundation, Team Cymru, and Trend Micro.Trend Microwith support from companies including Group-IB, Kaspersky, Shadowserver Foundation, Team Cymru, and Trend Micro.
Countries
AlgeriaLaw enforcement agencies in Algeria dismantled a phishing service by seizing a server and other devices linked to the operation.BahrainOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.EgyptOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.IraqOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.JordanPolice in Jordan tracked down a computer involved in financial fraud scams and, during a raid, found 15 people carrying out the scams who were later determined to be victims of human trafficking.LebanonOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.LibyaOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.MoroccoOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.OmanOfficials in Oman remediated a server containing sensitive information that was infected with malware, and compromised by vulnerabilities.PalestineOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.QatarMeanwhile, investigators in Qatar identified and secured multiple compromised devices that were being used, unbeknownst to their owners, of spreading malicious threats.TunisiaOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.United Arab EmiratesOperation Ramz was supported by Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.