Operation Ramz: INTERPOL's Landmark Cybercrime Takedown Nets 201 Arrests Across MENA

INTERPOL has orchestrated a groundbreaking cybercrime operation, codenamed Ramz, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This multi-national effort, spanning from October 2025 to February 2026, has resulted in 201 arrests and the identification of 382 additional suspects. The operation targeted sophisticated phishing, malware, and cyber scam networks, aiming to dismantle malicious infrastructure and prevent significant financial losses.

Key Takeaways

• 201 individuals arrested, 382 suspects identified.

• 3,867 victims identified, 53 servers seized.

• Operation involved 13 countries from the MENA region.

• Focused on phishing, malware, and cyber scams.

Operation Ramz In Action

The extensive operation saw 13 countries collaborate to neutralize cyber threats that inflict severe costs on the region. Key actions included:

• Algeria: Disrupted a phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) operation, seizing servers, devices, and software, leading to one arrest.

• Morocco: Confiscated computers, smartphones, and hard drives containing banking data and phishing tools. Three individuals are undergoing judicial proceedings.

• Oman: Disabled a compromised server in a private residence that was found to have critical security vulnerabilities and malware.

• Qatar: Secured compromised devices whose owners were unaware they were being used to spread malicious threats.

• Jordan: Uncovered a financial fraud scam targeting investors. While 15 individuals were found conducting the scams, investigators determined they were victims of human trafficking, leading to the arrest of two suspected orchestrators.

Global Collaboration Against Cybercrime

Operation Ramz highlights the critical importance of international cooperation in combating borderless cybercrime. INTERPOL collaborated with private sector partners, including Group-IB, Kaspersky, and Team Cymru, to share intelligence and track malicious activities. Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime, emphasized that "In a world where cybercriminals exploit the digital landscape without borders, Operation Ramz demonstrates the effectiveness of global collaboration."

The operation's success underscores a growing focus on cybersecurity within the MENA region, with intelligence sharing proving vital in identifying and dismantling criminal networks.

Sources

• INTERPOL Operation Ramz Disrupts MENA Cybercrime Networks with 201 Arrests, The Hacker News.

• Massive MENA cybercrime Operation Ramz disrupts infrastructure and arrests 201 suspects, Security Affairs.

• 201 arrests in first-of-its-kind cybercrime operation in MENA region, Interpol.

• 201 arrested in INTERPOL disruption of phishing and fraud networks, Help Net Security.

• Operation Ramz Targets MENA Cybercrime Networks, The Cyber Express.