Operation Maple Disruption 2.0 targets cybercrime in Ottawa

Operation Maple Disruption 2.0, a collaborative initiative held in Ottawa from November 2 to 6, targeted tools used for cybercrime and fraud. Organized by the RCMP’s National Cybercrime Co-ordination Centre and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the event brought together representatives from over 50 organizations, including banks, police forces, securities commissions, and a major social media firm.

During the week, participants coordinated thousands of disruptive actions to combat investment scams and identity theft. These measures included disabling fraudulent email accounts, blocking scam phone numbers, removing fraudulent websites, canceling suspicious transactions, and blocklisting cryptocurrency addresses linked to illicit activity.

The RCMP reported that action was taken on 4,264 reports of fraudulent activity, resulting in the recovery of $1.06 million. Organizers emphasized that the collaboration allows specialists from different sectors to share expertise and build a more comprehensive understanding of fraudulent networks.