Cyber Crime
Massive Police Crackdown: 50+ Servers Seized, 200 TB of Digital Evidence Secured, 2 Suspects Arrested
Europol, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies across Europe, has dismantled a sophisticated criminal network involved in large-scale online fraud. The operation was led by Germany’s Hanover Police Department (Polizeidirektion Hannover) and the Verden Public Prosecutor’s Office (Staatsanwaltschaft Verden), with support from authorities in multiple countries. Over 50 servers were seized, critical digital evidence was secured, and two key suspects are now in pretrial detention.
Fraudulent Marketplace Unveiled
The investigation, which began in autumn 2022, was launched after reports of scammers impersonating bank employees to extract sensitive information such as addresses and security answers. This stolen data was linked to an online marketplace, operating as a hub for trading illegally obtained information.
The marketplace allowed thousands of users to purchase stolen data categorized by region and account balance, enabling criminals to execute highly targeted fraud. Investigators also exposed a network of fake online stores designed to trick consumers into entering payment details, a phishing tactic that generated substantial profits for the marketplace operators.
Cross-Border Crackdown
On December 4, 2023, coordinated actions were conducted across Europe. Law enforcement carried out searches in Germany and Austria and dismantled infrastructure associated with the marketplace and fake shops in Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, and Norway. These efforts resulted in the seizure of over 50 servers and more than 200 terabytes of digital evidence.
Two primary suspects—a 27-year-old in Germany and a 37-year-old in Austria—were arrested under European arrest warrants and are currently in custody.
Europol’s Role in the Investigation
Europol was integral to the success of this two-year investigation, providing critical support and resources to law enforcement agencies. The European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) deployed advanced forensic tools and methodologies to analyze and secure complex digital evidence.
Europol’s data scientists processed vast volumes of data, uncovering key connections that advanced the case. During the operation, three EC3 experts were deployed to Germany and Austria to assist local authorities in their enforcement actions.
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Participating Law Enforcement Agencies
The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies across Europe, including:
- Austria: State Office of Criminal Investigation (Landeskriminalamt)
- Czechia: Bureau of Criminal Police and Investigation Service, Regional Police Directorate of the Capital City of Prague
- Finland: National Bureau of Investigation (Keskusrikospoliisi)
- Germany: Hanover Police Department (Polizeidirektion Hannover), Verden Public Prosecutor’s Office (Staatsanwaltschaft Verden)
- The Netherlands: National Police (Politie)
- Poland: Central Cybercrime Bureau (Centralne Biuro Zwalczania Cyberprzestępczości)
This operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in tackling cybercrime and highlights Europol’s pivotal role in ensuring a safer digital environment for all.
