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?
| Specifications | Details |
| Conducted by | Interpol |
| Aim | To target fraud schemes fuelled by victims of human trafficking. |
| Participating countries | 27 including India |
| Key findings of the operation | 1) 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?
| Specifications | Details |
| Full Name | International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO-INTERPOL) |
| Type | Inter-governmental organization |
| Established in | 1923 |
| Purpose | It facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control. |
| Functions | 1) 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. |
| Members | 196 (India has been member since 1949) |
| Headquarters | Lyon, France |
| INTERPOL Notices | Notices 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
