INTERPOL

🚨 262 arrests in operation targeting migrant smuggling across the Mediterranean

An international operation targeting criminal organizations involved in migrant smuggling across the Mediterranean Sea and the West African Atlantic route has resulted in 262 arrests and 434 new investigations.

In just four days, participating agencies identified 41 different organized criminal groups involved in migrant smuggling. In a significant case, Libyan authorities rescued 34 potential victims of human trafficking and arrested three individuals for their suspected involvement in an organized criminal group engaged in human trafficking, migrant smuggling and extortion.

Officers also checked more than 378,000 individuals, monitored hotspots, strengthened screening at key locations and pursued investigative leads, resulting in:

🔵 109 potential victims identified
🔵 1,715 irregular migrants detected

The initiative brought together law enforcement and border management agencies from 16 countries across North and West Africa, southern Europe and the Middle East. It was led by @INTERPOL_HQ with operational support from @Europol, @Frontex, @AFRIPOLOfficial, the @UNmigration and the @UNODC.

Funded by EU 🇪🇺

➡️ 🔗 interpol.int/News-and-Event…

I-CORE is INTERPOL's programme to modernize the digital capabilities behind international police cooperation. It is based on member country needs and operational realities.

At its latest working group meeting, hosted with INTERPOL's National Central Bureau in Seoul 🇰🇷, representatives from 14 member countries reviewed the programme’s most recent developments, including:

🔵 The Biometric Hub, INTERPOL’s central biometric matching and storage system
🔵 NEXUS, the next-generation platform for international police case messaging
🔵 The INTERPOL Unified Information Model, standardizing how police information is managed

Participants shared operational results from the field and joined workshops developing ideas for capturing member-country feedback across the full range of policing services, ensuring future capability developments match real demand.

❤️ Imagine this. You’ve been chatting to someone for months online and you’ve built a real relationship. You’re falling in love.

You’ve heard of scams like this, so you ask them for photos and videos. They are who they say they are. You’ve seen the proof.

But what if they aren’t?

Scammers can spend months building relationships with their victims. Meanwhile, AI technology can now recreate faces and voices using just a few images or audio clips found online.

So what should you do?

🔵 Seeing is not always believing: Images and videos can be faked. Be especially wary if a conversation with someone you met online leads to requests for personal information or money.
🔵 Don’t rush. Even if you believe you’re speaking to someone you trust, take a moment to assess the situation.
🔵 Report it. If you suspect a scam, contact local law enforcement immediately.

Wait. Validate. #DontTakeTheBait

Funded by 🇯🇵

Where do the world's most senior policing officials go to discuss the biggest challenges facing law enforcement?

The INTERPOL General Assembly 🤝

Bringing together representatives from INTERPOL's 196 member countries, the #INTERPOLGA is the organization's supreme governing body and a key forum for international police cooperation.

🔔 Media representatives wishing to cover the 94th INTERPOL General Assembly must apply for accreditation no later than 30 October 2026.