Mitrade Insights is dedicated to providing investors with rich, timely and most valuable financial information to help investors grasp the market situation and find timely trading opportunities.

2021

Best News & Analysis Provider

FxDailyInfo

2022

Best Forex Educational Resources Global

International Business Magazine

Insights

News

Cryptocurrencies

Global INTERPOL Crackdown Exposes Crypto Laundering Behind Romance Scams

Source Beincrypto

Thai police uncovered a crypto-laundering scheme in which one suspect’s wallet processed more than $122.5 million in proceeds from romance scams, as part of a global INTERPOL sweep.

The international police organization’s Operation First Light 2026 ran from January 15 to April 30. It targeted social engineering scams and the money laundering that sustains them.

INTERPOL Says Global Fraud Crackdown Uncovered 142,000 Victims

According to the news release, the global anti-fraud operation spanned 97 countries and territories, resulting in the arrest of 5,811 suspects and the interception of approximately $293 million in illicit proceeds.

Investigators identified more than 142,000 victims and froze 31,014 bank accounts linked to fraudulent activity. The operation also led to the resolution of 23,715 cases, while authorities issued 99 notices and diffusions.

INTERPOL said the operation highlighted how social engineering scams and financial fraud have grown into a significant transnational threat, impacting individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide.

“Social engineering scams continue to pose a significant threat to our society. Criminal syndicates exploit human psychology to manipulate their targets, and no nation can stay safe unless all countries are equipped and committed to jointly fighting back,” Tomonobu Kaya, Director of the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, said.

Crypto Money Laundering at the Center of a Global Sweep

The operation also highlighted several significant cases uncovered by participating countries. In Thailand, police arrested two suspects tied to a crypto laundering scheme that funneled funds from romance scams.

The operators used cross-chain token swaps to break the trail between blockchains. One suspect, aged 20, controlled a wallet that processed more than $122.5 million in 10 months, according to investigators.

In Palau, officials deported 22 people linked to hotel-based scam centres that leaned on crypto and illegal gambling sites. Enforcement stretched across several countries.

In Eswatini, police arrested 82 people and broke up a network running illegal gambling, laundering, and impersonation scams. Authorities in Singapore and Oman used I-GRIP to block a $6.6 million transfer linked to a business email compromise scam.

The cases reflect the growing role of cryptocurrency in cross-border fraud and money laundering schemes. They also highlight the increasing reliance on international cooperation to track illicit funds, dismantle criminal networks, and disrupt scams that span multiple jurisdictions.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch leaders and journalists provide expert insights

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Recommended Articles

Bitcoin CME gaps at $35,000, $27,000 and $21,000, which one gets filled first?Prioritize filling the $27,000 gap and even try higher.

Author FXStreet

Aug 22, 2023

Prioritize filling the $27,000 gap and even try higher.

Pinduoduo Earnings Incoming: Morgan Stanley Sees Long-Term Profit Potential Insights – On November 21, Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo (PDD) will release its Q3 2024 earnings.

Author Mitrade

Nov 20, 2024

Insights – On November 21, Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo (PDD) will release its Q3 2024 earnings.

Elon Musk’s xAI and Neuralink Launch New Funding Rounds Billionaire Elon Musk recently raised funds for his two high-profile tech companies, xAI and Neuralink.

Author Insights

Jun 03, 2025

Billionaire Elon Musk recently raised funds for his two high-profile tech companies, xAI and Neuralink.

Bitcoin briefly loses 2025 gains as crypto plunges over the weekend.Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline this weekend, briefly erasing its 2025 gains and dipping below its year-opening value of $93,507. The cryptocurrency fell to a low of $93,029 on Sunday, representing a 25% drop from its all-time high in October. Although it has rebounded slightly to around $94,209, the pressures on the market remain significant. The downturn occurred despite the reopening of the U.S. government on Thursday, which many had hoped would provide essential support for crypto markets. This year initially appeared promising for cryptocurrencies, particularly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has established the most pro-crypto administration thus far. However, ongoing political tensions—including Trump's tariff strategies and the recent government shutdown, lasting a historic 43 days—have contributed to several rapid price pullbacks for Bitcoin throughout the year. Market dynamics are also being influenced by Bitcoin whales—investors holding large amounts of Bitcoin—who have been offloading portions of their assets, consequently stalling price rallies even as positive regulatory developments emerge. Despite these sell-offs, analysts from Glassnode argue that this behavior aligns with typical patterns seen among long-term investors during the concluding stages of bull markets, suggesting it is not indicative of a mass exodus. Notably, Bitcoin is not alone in its struggles, as Ethereum and Solana have also recorded declines of 7.95% and 28.3%, respectively, since the start of the year, while numerous altcoins have faced even steeper losses. Looking ahead, questions linger regarding the viability of the four-year cycle thesis, particularly given the increasing institutional support and regulatory frameworks now in place in the crypto landscape. Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, remains optimistic, suggesting a potential Bitcoin resurgence in 2026 driven by the “debasement trade” thesis and a broader trend toward increased adoption of stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance. Hougan emphasized the soundness of the underlying fundamentals, pointing to a positive outlook for the sector in the longer term.

Author Mitrade

Nov 17, 2025

Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline this weekend, briefly erasing its 2025 gains and dipping below its year-opening value of $93,507. The cryptocurrency fell to a low of $93,029 on Sunday, representing a 25% drop from its all-time high in October. Although it has rebounded slightly to around $94,209, the pressures on the market remain significant. The downturn occurred despite the reopening of the U.S. government on Thursday, which many had hoped would provide essential support for crypto markets. This year initially appeared promising for cryptocurrencies, particularly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has established the most pro-crypto administration thus far. However, ongoing political tensions—including Trump's tariff strategies and the recent government shutdown, lasting a historic 43 days—have contributed to several rapid price pullbacks for Bitcoin throughout the year. Market dynamics are also being influenced by Bitcoin whales—investors holding large amounts of Bitcoin—who have been offloading portions of their assets, consequently stalling price rallies even as positive regulatory developments emerge. Despite these sell-offs, analysts from Glassnode argue that this behavior aligns with typical patterns seen among long-term investors during the concluding stages of bull markets, suggesting it is not indicative of a mass exodus. Notably, Bitcoin is not alone in its struggles, as Ethereum and Solana have also recorded declines of 7.95% and 28.3%, respectively, since the start of the year, while numerous altcoins have faced even steeper losses. Looking ahead, questions linger regarding the viability of the four-year cycle thesis, particularly given the increasing institutional support and regulatory frameworks now in place in the crypto landscape. Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, remains optimistic, suggesting a potential Bitcoin resurgence in 2026 driven by the “debasement trade” thesis and a broader trend toward increased adoption of stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance. Hougan emphasized the soundness of the underlying fundamentals, pointing to a positive outlook for the sector in the longer term.

Gold declines as Trump scraps Iran memorandum, markets await Fed minutes Gold (XAU/USD) trades around $4,050 on Wednesday, down 1.40% on the day at the time of writing, as investors favor the US Dollar (USD) following a fresh deterioration in tensions between the United States (US) and Iran.

Author FXStreet

Jul 08, Wed

Gold (XAU/USD) trades around $4,050 on Wednesday, down 1.40% on the day at the time of writing, as investors favor the US Dollar (USD) following a fresh deterioration in tensions between the United States (US) and Iran.

Popular Symbols