The UAE Ministry of Interior announced that an international operation titled “Operation Confrontation Ghost” identified more than $39 billion in funds and digital assets linked to fraudulent activities and prevented more than 123,710,000 attempted online scams worldwide.

The operation was led by the UAE Ministry of Interior in partnership with law enforcement agencies from 30 countries, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), and 13 private companies specialising in technology, digital platforms and financial services.

More Than 960 Arrested, Thousands of Suspects and Victims Identified

According to the announced results, the operation led to the arrest of more than 960 suspects, the identification of more than 3,500 suspects and 15,500 victims, and the exchange of more than 9,000 pieces of security intelligence.

The operation also resulted in the freezing of 4,126 bank accounts, the closure of more than 570 social media accounts linked to fraudulent activities, and raids on 29 scam centres.

Participating countries, judicial authorities and private-sector companies are working to recover the identified fraud-linked assets, valued at more than $39 billion.
The operation also used tokenisation technology to enhance the security of more than four billion financial transactions each month, helping to strengthen the protection of user data and reduce the risk of financial fraud.

30 Countries and 13 International Companies Join Operation

The 30 participating countries were the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Canada, Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, Romania, Kuwait, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Denmark, Myanmar, Brazil, Jordan, Italy, the Maldives, Singapore, Sweden, China, Senegal, France, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Slovakia, Kenya, Morocco, the Netherlands and South Korea.

The operation also involved 13 private companies specialising in technology, financial services and digital platforms: Bayut, Crypto.com, dubizzle, Feedzai, Ghostly Solutions, Group-IB, Huawei, Mastercard, Miya Pico, Meta, Outseer, TikTok and Trend Micro.

Their participation demonstrates the coordination between government agencies, technology companies and financial institutions to identify fraudulent activities, disrupt criminal networks and prevent the misuse of digital platforms.

Combating AI-Powered Fraud and Online Sextortion

Operation Confrontation Ghost was conducted over three months, from 1 July to 30 September 2026, and targeted three main types of digital crime:

1. AI-enabled fraud
2. Financial fraud through digital platforms
3. Online sextortion

The operation focused on strengthening international cooperation, exchanging security intelligence, tracking criminal activities and accelerating responses to digital threats.

The results were announced during a UAE-hosted side event held on the sidelines of the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

The conference is being held from 19 to 23 October 2026 in Vienna, the capital of Austria, with participants emphasising the importance of international coordination in combating organised digital fraud.

UAE Ministry of Interior Stresses International Cooperation

Colonel Dana Al Marzouqi, Director-General of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Ministry of Interior, said the operation demonstrated the importance of combining international efforts and integrating security and technological capabilities to combat digital fraud networks.

She said these networks exploit online platforms, financial services and emerging technologies to conduct criminal activities across borders.

Al Marzouqi stressed that the UAE Ministry of Interior would continue expanding cooperation with countries, international organisations, technology companies and financial services providers to combat cross-border digital fraud.

She added that these partnerships aim to protect individuals and institutions, identify and prosecute offenders, and ensure they are held legally accountable.

She also said the real-time exchange of security intelligence and stronger coordination between law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities help detect suspicious activities more quickly, trace illicit financial flows, and turn shared information and expertise into practical action against criminal networks.

UN: UAE Operation a Model for Tackling Emerging Crime

Dr Monica Kathina Juma, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), described Operation Confrontation Ghost as a model of international cooperation in addressing emerging forms of crime.

She said the operation brought together 30 countries, 13 private-sector partners and two international organisations, focusing on combating AI-enabled fraud, digital financial crime and technology-facilitated sextortion.

Juma also praised the approach of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and his continued support for efforts to strengthen international cooperation.

She commended the UAE’s role in coordinating international efforts and building effective partnerships that contributed to the operation’s success, describing it as evidence of the UAE leadership’s commitment to expanding global cooperation and strengthening international security and stability.

Warning Over Criminal Misuse of Technology and Cryptocurrencies

The UNODC Executive Director stressed that the growing use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in fraudulent activities has created new challenges for security and judicial authorities.

She said criminals exploit digital platforms, bank accounts and cryptocurrencies to transfer illicit funds and conceal their origins.

She emphasised that effectively countering these threats requires the continuous development of crime prevention and detection methods, alongside stronger coordination and cooperation among relevant authorities at the international level.