A UAE-led international operation involving 30 countries has identified more than $39 billion in funds and digital assets linked to fraud, thwarted 123.71 million online fraud attempts and resulted in more than 960 arrests
ABU DHABI: A UAE-led international operation has identified more than $39 billion (Dh143 billion) in suspected fraud-linked funds and digital assets. The crackdown also prevented over 123.71 million online fraud attempts worldwide.
The UAE Ministry of Interior led the three-month campaign, named Operation Confrontation Ghost, between July 1 and September 30, 2026.
Authorities from 30 countries joined forces with INTERPOL, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and 13 private-sector partners to tackle organised digital fraud.
Over 960 Arrested in Global Crackdown
The operation delivered significant results:
- More than 960 people arrested
- Over 3,500 additional suspects identified
- Approximately 15,500 fraud victims identified
- 4,126 bank accounts blocked
- More than 570 fraudulent social media accounts shut down
- 29 suspected fraud centres raided
Participating agencies also exchanged over 9,000 intelligence reports to track criminal networks and suspicious financial transactions.
AI-Powered Scams Under Scrutiny
Investigators targeted three major threats: AI-enabled fraud, financial scams through digital platforms and online sexual extortion.
Technology companies including Meta, TikTok, Huawei and Mastercard supported the operation through intelligence sharing and fraud detection.
Authorities also used tokenisation technology to help protect more than four billion financial transactions monthly.
The operation’s findings were presented during a United Nations conference on transnational organised crime in Vienna, Austria.
Officials highlighted the importance of international cooperation in stopping fraud networks operating across borders.
Impact to Expect
The crackdown could strengthen digital banking security, improve fraud detection and increase protection for online consumers.
Authorities are now working to recover the identified assets. However, the $39 billion represents suspected fraud-linked funds and assets, not money already seized or recovered.
The operation reinforces the UAE’s growing role in coordinating international efforts against cybercrime and financial fraud.
