"Interpol and FBI Break Up a Cyber Scheme in Moldova to Get Asylum for Wanted Criminals"
Interpol and the FBI recently cracked down on attempts in Moldova to sabotage one of the international police agency’s key tools, the Red Notice system. The joint sting, which also involved cooperation with French and British authorities, uncovered an international criminal organization with ties to individuals in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus suspected of cybercrime. Interpol noted that the suspected individuals paid intermediaries and public figures in Moldova to inform wanted criminals of their Red Notice status. Interpol said that the notice flags people deemed fugitives to law enforcement worldwide and is one of their most important tools. The investigation led to the detention of four people for 72 hours on suspicion of interfering with the notices. The scheme sought to have people subject to Red Notices “obtain asylum or refugee status” in Moldova and other countries “with the aim of blocking and deleting” the notices by bribing public officials. Interpol noted that the scheme made the criminals several million dollars.