Interpol's Operation First Light 2026 led to 5,811 arrests across 97 countries, targeting romance scams and crypto laundering. Thai police arrested two individuals involved in a scheme that moved over $122.5 million in 10 months, obscuring funds via cross-chain token swaps.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a 3,500-page charge sheet against hacker Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki, crypto trader Robin Khandelwal, and businessman Sunish Hegde for their alleged roles in a sophisticated network involving hacking, darknet operations, cyber extortion, and cryptocurrency laundering.
South Korean police arrested 23 individuals for laundering $4.1 million in crypto for a Cambodia-based phishing operation. The alleged ringleader is at large, and authorities seized $431,000 in proceeds. Experts warn the Southeast Asian scam ecosystem remains a persistent concern.
An international joint investigation involving Japan has dismantled a crypto asset laundering service known as "Audi A6." Two individuals, a Russian and a Ukrainian living in Georgia, believed to be managing the service, were arrested. The operation also led to the seizure of management servers and service access websites.
Alexander Browder, son of activist Bill Browder, was sanctioned by Russia for uncovering alleged use of the A7A5 stablecoin to evade sanctions. The stablecoin, reportedly backed by Promsvyazban, processed over $110 billion on-chain.
Russia's Foreign Ministry sanctioned 17-year-old British student Alexander Browder, founder of the Global Cryptocurrency Laundering Database, for exposing alleged Moscow-backed crypto money laundering operations. He is believed to be the youngest person sanctioned by Russia.
