INTERPOL launches global awareness campaign to highlight the use of money mules; Executive Director warns moving money for someone else is ‘risky business’

Regulatory Watch News

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  201 arrests in first-of-its-kind cybercrime operation in MENA region

  Interpol

  May 19, 2026

  SINGAPORE – A first-of-its-kind cybercrime operation in the MENA region has led to the arrest of 201 individuals, with a further 382 suspects identified. Thirteen countries from the Middle East and North Africa took part in Operation Ramz (October 2025 – 28 February 2026) which aimed to investigate and disrupt malicious infrastructure, identify and arrest suspects, and prevent future losses. The operation focused on neutralizing phishing and malware threats, as well as tackling cyber scams that inflict severe cost to the region. In addition to the arrests made, 3,867 victims were identified, and 53 servers were seized. Operation Ramz marked a milestone as the first cyber operation of its scale coordinated by INTERPOL in the MENA region. During this effort, nearly 8,000 pieces of crucial data and intelligence were disseminated among participating countries to initiate and support investigations.

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  Scam alert related to banks

  HKMA

  May 19, 2026

  The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA.  Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on the HKMA website.  

  Bank	Type of Scam
  The Bank of East Asia, Limited	Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen
  Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited	Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
  Chong Hing Bank Limited	Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens
  OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited	Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens

   

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  Settlement Agreement between the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and Adani Enterprises Limited

  OFAC

  May 18, 2026

  The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today announced a $275,000,000 settlement with Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), an Ahmedabad, India-based company. AEL agreed to settle its potential civil liability for 32 apparent violations of OFAC's Iran sanctions. From November 2023 to June 2025, AEL purchased shipments of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) from a Dubai-based trader purporting to supply Omani and Iraqi gas. Red flags should have put AEL on notice that the LPG actually originated from Iran. During this time period, AEL caused U.S. financial institutions to process 32 U.S. dollar denominated payments totaling approximately $192,104,044 for the shipments.