Police arrest more than 20,000 worldwide in online fraud sweep

Most of the crimes laid at suspects' feet included a ‘social engineering’ element, with which victims are manipulated into giving up personal information like passwords or bank details. — AFP

LYON: Authorities "on every continent" have arrested a total of over 20,000 people in the past year in an Interpol-coordinated blow against online and telephone fraudsters, the international organisation said on Dec 9.

Since September 2019, 35 countries have participated in the operation dubbed "First Light" that led to 21,549 arrests in more than 10,000 raids, as well as the seizure of almost US$154mil (RM625.86mil) of "illicit funds".