Operation HAECHI VI, led by INTERPOL from April to August this year, has delivered a major breakthrough in the fight against cyber-enabled financial crime. The coordinated operation, which brought together law enforcement agencies from 40 countries, resulted in the recovery of more than USD 493 million in physical and virtual assets.

As cybercrime continues to evolve, law enforcement agencies are increasingly called upon to harness the very technologies exploited by criminals, including cryptocurrency. With the support of INTERPOL, the Maldives Police Service successfully pursued one of the country’s largest cryptocurrency scam investigations under Operation HAECHI VI.

This operation has proven to be a remarkable success, not only by advancing significant cases but also by strengthening capacity building and international cooperation. It provided Maldivian law enforcement officers with the opportunity to contribute their expertise to global counterparts, while also gaining valuable knowledge, tools, and resources to combat criminals targeting the Maldives.

Operation HAECHI VI stands as a beacon of justice against criminals who exploit technology to victimise millions worldwide through schemes such as voice phishing, romance scams, investment fraud, sextortion, money laundering linked to illegal online gambling, business email compromise, and e-commerce fraud.

Theos Badege, Director pro tempore of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, stated:

“While many people believe that funds lost to fraud and scams are often irretrievable, the outcomes of HAECHI operations demonstrate that recovery is indeed possible. As one of INTERPOL’s flagship financial crime operations, HAECHI is a prime example of how global cooperation can protect communities and safeguard financial systems. We encourage more member countries to join us in this collective effort so that meaningful progress can be made in the fight against cyber-enabled crime.”

The Maldives Police Service remains committed to working closely with INTERPOL and international partners to address emerging cyber threats. By strengthening investigative capacity and embracing cross-border cooperation, the Service reaffirms its dedication to protecting Maldivian citizens from the growing risks of cyber-enabled crime.