An Interpol-led investigation netted nearly 6,000 people and exposed common crypto money laundering schemes. We break down the details.
Interpol’s global anti-fraud operation, First Light 2026, spanned 97 countries and ran from January 15 to April 30, 2026. The operation resulted in 5,811 arrests, $293 million in illicit assets intercepted, and more than 142,000 victims identified.
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Key results included the exposure of crypto money laundering schemes using cross-chain token swaps.
Interpol Financial Crime Center Director Tomonobu Kaya said that “criminal syndicates exploit human psychology, and no country can remain safe without joint countermeasures.“
Contents
How Crypto Is Used in Fraud Schemes: From Romance Scams to Fake Police Stations
In Thailand, police uncovered a money laundering scheme where illicit funds from romance scams were converted across different cryptocurrencies using cross-chain token swaps to hide the financial trail. The investigation showed that one suspect’s crypto wallet–belonging to a 20-year-old–processed more than $122.5M over 10 months. It’s one of the largest known examples of crypto being used to launder proceeds from social engineering scams.
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In Palau, authorities deported 22 people for operating out of two fraud centers based in hotels. The suspects used cryptocurrency and illegal gambling sites to target victims in other countries, running a range of online schemes from investment fraud to romance scams.
In Eswatini, police arrested 82 people and dismantled a criminal network involved in illegal online gambling, money laundering, and impersonation schemes. Officers seized 240 electronic devices and a realistic replica of a Brazilian police station, complete with fake uniforms, signs, and equipment. Posing as Brazil’s Federal Police during video calls, the scammers convinced victims to transfer funds for “safe keeping.”
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Blocking Mechanisms: How Interpol Stops Illicit Transfers
Authorities actively used Interpol’s I-GRIP rapid payment blocking system during the operation. Singapore and Oman used it to block an illicit transfer of $6.6M linked to a BEC scam. In Macau, police prevented a transfer of nearly $372,000 after a victim was being coached in real time to send money under the pretext of a “fraud investigation.”
In total, the operation analyzed 152,808 cases, blocked 31,014 bank accounts, resolved 23,715 cases, identified 15,606 suspects, and issued 99 Interpol notices and wanted person alerts. The operation covered a wide range of fraud–from BEC scams to sextortion and investment fraud.
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