What Is Interpol’s Operation HAECHI-VI? Inside the Global Crackdown on Cyber-Enabled Financial Crime

— by vishal Sambyal

Interpol’s Operation HAECHI-VI, spanning 40 countries, has recovered $439 million and exposed vast cybercrime networks. Here’s how the CBI helped take down digital fraud rings.

Introduction: A Global Dragnet Against Digital Deceit

From voice phishing rings to crypto-laundering syndicates, cybercriminals have exploited the borderless nature of the internet for years. But between April and August this year, a global dragnet — Interpol’s Operation HAECHI-VI — struck back.

Across 40 countries and territories, the coordinated effort dismantled vast online fraud networks, recovering $342 million in traditional currencies and $97 million in virtual and physical assets. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) played a crucial role, arresting eight cybercriminals and uncovering dozens of others in a sweeping crackdown.

Context: The Genesis of Operation HAECHI

The HAECHI operations are part of Interpol’s global initiative to combat cyber-enabled financial crime, a growing menace that transcends national borders. Supported financially by South Korea, these operations first began in 2020.

The name “HAECHI,” inspired by a mythical Korean guardian creature symbolizing justice, reflects the mission’s spirit — to protect citizens from the predations of organized digital criminals.

Earlier phases of the operation (HAECHI-I and II) revealed how international crime groups were exploiting online platforms to steal millions, routing money through global banking systems and cryptocurrencies to conceal their tracks. Each year since, Interpol has expanded its reach, integrating new technologies and intelligence-sharing methods to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated scams.

The Sixth Wave: Operation HAECHI-VI (April–August)

In its sixth edition, Operation HAECHI-VI targeted seven types of cyber-enabled financial crimes that have surged post-pandemic:

  1. Voice phishing
  2. Romance scams
  3. Online sextortion
  4. Investment fraud
  5. Money laundering from illegal gambling
  6. Business email compromise (BEC)
  7. E-commerce fraud

The results were staggering: authorities blocked over 68,000 bank accounts, froze nearly 400 cryptocurrency wallets, and recovered $16 million in digital assets suspected to be linked to illegal activities.

Interpol’s global coordination center in Lyon worked around the clock, channeling real-time data between member countries to trace illicit funds, identify culprits, and disrupt ongoing frauds before more victims were targeted.

India’s Role: CBI’s Digital Pursuit

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, as the nation’s Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB), was deeply embedded in HAECHI-VI operations.

Between May and August, the CBI conducted a series of high-impact raids across several states — from West Bengal to Punjab — exposing digital crime hubs that preyed on both Indian citizens and foreign nationals.

These operations revealed complex online fraud ecosystems where criminals lured victims through fake investment platforms, romance scams, and fraudulent job portals, later funneling money through cryptocurrency exchanges or foreign shell accounts.

During the operation, CBI’s International Operations Division collaborated closely with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Justice, and German law enforcement agencies. The joint effort led to eight arrests and the identification of 45 additional suspects involved in transnational financial crimes.

India has now participated in all six editions of Operation HAECHI, marking its commitment to international cybercrime cooperation and digital security.

What Is Interpol? The Power Behind Global Policing

Founded in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission, Interpol evolved into the International Criminal Police Organization in 1956. With 196 member countries, it’s the world’s largest international police network — a force that connects national law enforcement agencies beyond borders.

India joined Interpol in 1949, and since then, the CBI has served as the official Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB).

Interpol’s General Secretariat, based in Lyon, France, oversees day-to-day coordination through 19 global police databases containing criminal data — from fingerprints to stolen passports — accessible in real-time. Its focus areas include terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern threats.

Each year, Interpol’s General Assembly brings member countries together to decide policies and strengthen collaboration — ensuring the organization remains agile against evolving global criminal trends.

Expert Insights: “The Digital Border Is the New Frontline”

Cybersecurity analysts view HAECHI-VI as a turning point.
“Cybercrime isn’t just about stolen money — it’s about eroding trust in digital systems,” says Rohit Sinha, a Delhi-based cyber law expert. “Interpol’s coordination model proves that when data and action flow across borders, criminals lose their biggest advantage: anonymity.”

According to Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock, such coordinated efforts “demonstrate what global cooperation can achieve when countries unite against common threats.” He emphasized that the evolution of scams — particularly involving cryptocurrencies — calls for continuous innovation in digital forensics and asset recovery.

Impact and Implications: A Digital Wake-Up Call

The success of HAECHI-VI offers both relief and a warning.
While hundreds of millions were recovered, experts caution that online scams continue to evolve faster than enforcement frameworks. Deepfake technology, AI-generated fraud, and cross-platform laundering networks are already testing global law enforcement’s adaptability.

For India, the CBI’s proactive participation underscores its expanding role in the global fight against cybercrime. The agency’s intelligence-sharing with Western counterparts marks a new phase of digital diplomacy, strengthening India’s position in international law enforcement cooperation.

Conclusion: Toward a Safer Digital Future

Operation HAECHI-VI is more than a police success story — it’s a blueprint for collective resilience in a world where cybercriminals exploit invisibility and speed.

As new editions of the operation unfold, Interpol’s mission remains clear: to ensure that the internet — a tool for connection and commerce — doesn’t become a playground for deception.

For now, the arrests, recoveries, and global collaboration sparked by HAECHI-VI send a powerful message: when nations unite, even the darkest corners of cyberspace can be illuminated.

Disclaimer:This article is for informational and journalistic purposes only. It is based on verified operational details and official releases concerning Interpol’s Operation HAECHI-VI.