Tag: europol
91 articles
Interpol Crackdown on Cybercrime Yields 5,800 Arrests Worldwide
In a major global sting operation, authorities in Eswatini seized 240 electronic devices, foreign currency, and a stunning replica of a Brazilian police station - complete with fake uniforms and equipment - as part of Interpol's Operation First Light 2026, which has led to 5,800 arrests worldwide. This massive crackdown on cybercrime was made possible through collaboration between 97 countries and territories, with support from Europol, Aseanapol, and GGCPol.
Europol Operation Disrupts StealC and Amadey Infostealers
In a major win for cybersecurity, a coordinated international effort has dismantled the operations of two notorious malware families, StealC and Amadey, freezing a whopping €41m in crypto assets of criminal origin. This significant disruption was made possible through the collaboration of Europol, Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, J-CAT, and Eurojust.
Microsoft-Led Operation Disrupts Amadey, StealC Malware Networks
In a major win for cybersecurity, a Microsoft-led operation has successfully disrupted the networks behind Amadey and StealC malware, significantly increasing friction for cybercriminals and making it harder for attacks to succeed. This collaborative effort between law enforcement and private sector partners marks a crucial step forward in the fight against cybercrime.
Authorities dismantle Evil Corp's SocGholish botnet infrastructure
In a major win for cybersecurity, international authorities have joined forces to dismantle the notorious SocGholish botnet infrastructure, a multi-stage malware kit that had been exploited for ransomware campaigns and espionage since 2017. This coordinated effort has successfully disabled the malware's control points and seized related infrastructure.
Law Enforcement Disrupts SocGholish Botnet Linked to Evil Corp
In a major win for cybersecurity, an international coalition of law enforcement agencies has dismantled the notorious SocGholish botnet, liberating nearly 15,000 compromised WordPress sites and taking down 106 servers and domains used by cybercriminals. This bold operation has effectively cut off the cybercrime gang's access to thousands of infected computer systems.
FBI and Europol dismantle major crypto laundering platform
In a major crackdown, the FBI and Europol have dismantled AudiA6, a massive cryptocurrency laundering operation that helped cybercriminals move a whopping $389m in illicit funds between 2022 and 2025. The service was linked to at least 15 ransomware operations and multiple cryptocurrency theft schemes, making it a key player in the digital underworld.
Europol Disrupts Major Crypto Laundering Service Linked to Ransomware Gangs
Europol's operation has cut off a major crypto laundering service linked to ransomware gangs, freezing hundreds of millions in illicit profits and disrupting a key financial pipeline used by criminals. The crackdown seized over €86,000 in cash, froze €692,000 in cryptocurrency, and took down 25 domains and 30 servers.
Europol Disrupts AudiA6 Crypto-Laundering Service Linked to $380 Million Ransomware Scheme
Europol has dismantled a massive cryptocurrency laundering operation, known as AudiA6, that handled over $380 million in illicit funds for ransomware actors and cybercriminals. The service promised anonymity, but actually took a 3-10% cut to clean and return tainted assets in just an hour.
Europe Cracks Down on Illegal Streaming Networks, Arrests 29
Behind the scenes of cheap streaming deals, complex crime networks are at work - but thanks to Operation Kratos 2, 29 alleged cybercriminals have been arrested and nine organized crime groups dismantled. This major crackdown on illegal streaming networks marks a huge win for European law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Disrupts Nine Illegal Streaming Crime Groups
In a major crackdown on illegal streaming crime, authorities have dismantled nine organized crime groups and made 29 arrests in a seven-month operation that targeted the entire criminal ecosystem. The coordinated effort, involving 13 countries, identified 86 suspects and referred 59 cases to judicial authorities.
Authorities Disrupt First VPN Service Used by 25 Ransomware Groups
In a major win for cybersecurity, an international coalition led by France and the Netherlands has disrupted a notorious VPN service used by 25 ransomware groups, taking a significant blow to cybercrime operations. The takedown was made possible through a collaborative effort involving 16 countries and key partners like Europol and Eurojust.
Europol Disrupts Major Cybercrime VPN Service
Europol's bold operation has taken down a notorious VPN service used by cybercriminals to hide their tracks, seizing key infrastructure and sowing disruption among ransomware operators, fraudsters, and data thieves. This major win for cybersecurity could lead to further investigations and prosecutions, thanks to the treasure trove of data on thousands of threat actors.
Law Enforcement Disrupts First VPN Service Tied to Ransomware Attacks
In a major cybercrime crackdown, law enforcement agencies have dismantled a notorious VPN service used by ransomware attackers, seizing 33 servers and taking its domains offline in a coordinated operation across 27 countries. The takedown of First VPN, a so-called "no-logs" provider, has dealt a significant blow to threat actors behind ransomware and data theft campaigns.
Europol Disrupts Albanian Investment Fraud Ring
In a major crackdown on investment scams, Europol and international authorities have dismantled a sophisticated Albanian investment fraud ring, arresting 10 suspects and seizing nearly €900,000 and 443 computers. The alleged scammers are accused of swindling victims out of at least €50m through their professionalized operation.
Police Disrupt €50 Million Crypto Investment Fraud Ring
A massive €50 million crypto investment fraud ring has been dismantled thanks to a joint investigation by Austrian and Albanian authorities, supported by Europol and Eurojust, resulting in the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of cash and electronic devices. The alleged scammers, operating from call centres in Albania, left a trail of financial devastation across Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, Canada, and the UK.
FBI and Europol Disrupt Global DDoS-For-Hire Networks
In a major crackdown, the FBI and Europol joined forces to dismantle global DDoS-for-hire networks, seizing infrastructure, detaining suspects, and warning those who've used these malicious services. The operation, dubbed Operation PowerOff, marks a significant blow to those behind these anonymous internet attacks.
Europol Exclusive Successful Raid on Black Axe Nets 34
Europol’s exclusive Black Axe raid nets 34 — a major blow to the criminal network and a win for international law enforcement.
Europol Exclusive: Costly Crypto Mixer Crushed
Think crypto leaves no trail? Europol’s takedown of Cryptomixer shows how cross‑border police work plus on‑chain forensics can unmask cryptocurrency mixers and cripple the networks that hide criminal proceeds.
Europol Operation: Stunning, Devastating $55M Crypto Bust
Europes Cyber‑Patrol Week used blockchain forensics and cross‑border raids to disrupt crypto services moving roughly $55 million, delivering a stunning, devastating blow to criminal money‑movement rails. The takedown shows how improved tracing and private‑sector cooperation can unmask operators — even as some legitimate users lose a layer of convenience.
Europol Exclusive: Takedown of Dangerous Gaming Links
Europol’s exclusive takedown dismantles a network of dangerous gaming links putting players at risk — see what they uncovered and how to protect your accounts and devices.
Operation Endgame: Stunning Success Against Global Botnets
Imagine dozens of faceless botnets toppled in days — Operation Endgame, led by Europol and Eurojust, did just that by seizing servers, payment rails and money mules to choke cybercrime’s lifeblood. By disrupting tools like Rhadamanthys Stealer, Venom RAT and the Elysium botnet, this coordinated campaign shows why hitting infrastructure beats chasing low‑level renters.
French Police Seize €1.6m in Exclusive Costly Crypto Sting
How do you chase money that lives in code and shadows? French investigators and Europol answered with blockchain sleuthing and old‑fashioned detective work — freezing €1.6m and arresting nine suspects in a cross‑border crypto fraud takedown.
Europol Exclusive: Alarming Rise in Caller ID Spoofing
Europol’s recent takedown ripped the curtain back on how caller ID spoofing and SIM farms let criminals rent anonymity at scale — a win that still reads like a warning. With fraudsters shifting to SIMless virtual numbers and VoIP farms, the phone number we trust as ID has become a commodity for scams.
Cyberattack Disrupts European Airports: Exclusive Crisis
A cyberattack disrupts European airports — when screens go dark and check‑in kiosks freeze, travelers face long lines while staff switch to exhausting manual workarounds and cyber and law‑enforcement teams race across borders to restore systems and hunt the attackers.