Cybercriminals are using generative AI to send phishing emails, Interpol says.

Interpol has announced that it has arrested 41 individuals and taken down more than 22,000 malicious IP addresses and 1,037 servers in a global cybercrime operation.

The operation, called Synergia II, ran from April 1 until August 31, 2024. It was aimed at negating the threats emerging from "the professionalization of transnational cybercrime," Interpol says.

Phishing, ransomware, and data leaks were the key areas of focus. Generative AI is increasingly being used in cybercrime to generate text for phishing emails, according to the announcement.

Interpol used intelligence provided by private firms like Group-IB, Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Team Cymru to track illegal activities and identify malicious servers. The operation took down 76% of 30,000 suspicious IP addresses. 59 servers were also seized and 41 individuals were arrested with the help of law enforcement agencies in 95 member countries. 65 other individuals are currently under investigation.

"The global nature of cybercrime requires a global response which is evident by the support member countries provided to Operation Synergia II," said Neal Jetton, Interpol's cybercrime director, in a statement. "Together, we've not only dismantled malicious infrastructure but also prevented hundreds of thousands of potential victims from falling prey to cybercrime."

Interpol also found that stolen sensitive data sales on the dark web have increased 40%, and ransomware attacks have spiked 70% since 2023.