Iraq busts internet fraud network covering over 10,000 homes

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Communications announced that an internet fraud network covering more than 10,000 homes had been dismantled in a joint operation with the National Security Service. Minister Mustafa Sand said in a written statement that the operation was carried out within a legal framework after judicial approvals were obtained. The network sold commercial internet capacity to subscribers by disguising it as residential service, the ministry said. Sand described the case as one of dozens of similar schemes under monitoring, adding that some companies implicated in the violations had cut off service to customers abruptly before receiving any official closure order from the ministry in an attempt to conceal evidence. Sand said the irregular billing practices affect roughly 1.5 million users a year and have cost public funds an estimated 200 billion Iraqi dinars annually. He added that if the losses are recovered, the ministry will use the funds to provide free internet to certain service institutions and leisure areas, reduce current subscription fees and raise internet speeds by 20 percent across wired and wireless networks in 2027.