Operation Storm Makers II: Cases of human trafficking victims being forced to commit cybercrimes on the rise

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Source: The post is based on the article “Operation Storm Makers II: Cases of human trafficking victims being forced to commit cybercrimes on the rise” published in “The Hindu” on 11th December 2023

Why in the News?

Interpol has conducted a major operation called Operation Storm Makers II.

What is Operation Storm Makers II?

SpecificationsDetails
Conducted byInterpol
AimTo target fraud schemes fuelled by victims of human trafficking. 
Participating countries27 including India
Key findings of the operation1) Human trafficking-fuelled frauds are expanding beyond Southeast Asia.
2) Victims are lured by fake job ads and forced to commit online fraud such as: Fake cryptocurrency investments, Work-from-home scams and Lottery and online gambling scams.
3) Victims are also subjected to physical abuse.

What is Interpol?

Interpol
Source: Interpol
SpecificationsDetails
Full NameInternational Criminal Police Organization (ICPO-INTERPOL)
TypeInter-governmental organization
Established in1923 
PurposeIt facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control. 
Functions1) It provides investigative support, expertise and training to law enforcement worldwide, focusing on three major areas of transnational crime: terrorism, cybercrime and organised crime.
2) It facilitates cooperation among national law enforcement institutions through criminal databases and communications networks.
Members196 (India has been member since 1949)
HeadquartersLyon, France
INTERPOL NoticesNotices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.
National Central Bureau (NCB)1)  Each of the member countries hosts a National Central Bureau (NCB) which acts as a country’s focal point for all INTERPOL activities
3) CBI is the NCB for Interpol in India.

UPSC Syllabus: International Organisations

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