Kaspersky has played a significant role in combating transnational cybercrime through its involvement in operation Synergia, a collaborative effort with INTERPOL and other partners of the Gateway project. This initiative aims to enhance cooperation between national law enforcement agencies and private sector organizations to address the evolving cyber threats. Operating across more than 50 INTERPOL member states, the operation primarily targeted the disruption of malicious infrastructure associated with phishing, malware, and ransomware attacks.
Over the course of the three-month operation, which took place from September to November 2023, INTERPOL facilitated the exchange of cyber intelligence among law enforcement agencies and private partners. This collaboration led to the creation of over 60 Cyber Activity Reports, providing valuable insights into ongoing cyber threats. Kaspersky’s contribution to the operation included sharing data on malicious infrastructure identified globally, drawing from the company’s comprehensive threat intelligence resources, which are continually updated by its team of experts.
As a result of this joint effort, approximately 1,300 suspicious servers linked to various cybercrimes were identified. Subsequently, investigators were able to take action against 70% of these malicious servers and apprehend suspected perpetrators across multiple jurisdictions. This coordinated approach highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between public and private entities in combating cybercrime on a global scale.
Operation Synergia highlights:
- Authorities detained 31 individuals and identified an additional 70 suspects
- Most of the C2 servers taken down were in Europe, where 26 people were arrested
- Hong Kong and Singapore Police took down 153 and 86 servers, respectively
- South Sudan and Zimbabwe reported the most takedowns on the African continent, arresting four suspects
- Bolivia mobilized a range of public authorities to identify malware and resulting vulnerabilities
- Kuwait worked closely with internet service providers to identify victims, conduct field investigations, and also offer technical guidance to mitigate impacts
Bernardo Pillot, Assistant Director to INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate, said: “The results of this operation, achieved through the collective efforts of multiple countries and partners, show our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the digital space. By dismantling the infrastructure behind phishing, banking malware, and ransomware attacks, we are one step closer to protecting our digital ecosystems and a safer, more secure online experience for all.”
“Kaspersky has been an active contributor to INTERPOL’s operations, which have proved themselves as an effective instrument for taking down cross-border cyber offences,” comments Yuliya Shlychkova, Vice-President of Public Affairs at Kaspersky. “While Kaspersky has data, knowledge and technologies to track a wide range of cybercrime operations worldwide, international law enforcement agencies like INTERPOL possess legal authority and resources to further investigate and prosecute cybercriminals. Promoting a more comprehensive and holistic response to crime, our partnership strengthens overall security efforts and enables timely reactions and proactive measures to safeguard individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.”