International investigation disrupts phishing-as-a-service platform LabHost

Between Sunday 14 April and Wednesday 17 April a total of 70 addresses were searched across the world, resulting in the arrest of 37 suspects. This includes the arrest of 4 individuals in the United Kingdom linked to the running of the site, including the original developer of the service.The LabHost platform, previously available on the open web, has been...

20 arrests in clampdown against gang suspected of laundering EUR 10 million

The crackdown was the result of a long-running investigation led by the Spanish Police and Spanish Regional Catalan Police, supported by Europol and also involving Portuguese authorities. During the action days, law enforcement officers carried out 13 searches that led to the seizure of:EUR 156 000 in cash,gold bars worth EUR 35 000,more than 50 vehicles,jewellery and over 30 luxury...

9 arrests in EUR 645 million JuicyFields investment scam case

According to judicial estimates, the total damages resulting from fake investments in the advertised cannabis cultivation crowdsourcing platform amount to a staggering EUR 645 million, but actual and unreported damages could be significantly higher. In total, an estimated 550 000 participants worldwide, most of them European citizens, were registered as online investors. Using bank transfers or cryptocurrencies, around 186 000...

63 forgers arrested in Naples

The investigation was initiated by Carabinieri anti-counterfeiting investigators in January 2023, who received support from Europol. The aim of the investigation was to take down the Naples-based criminal group. The group was mostly active in France, Spain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, but they sold their counterfeit banknotes across Europe.Europol facilitated the information exchange and financed and coordinated several operational...

More than 3 000 law enforcement authorities now connected to Europol

The platform enables the swift exchange of operational and strategic information among Europol, EU Member States and partner countries with which Europol has cooperation agreements or working arrangements. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.In a world where threats can materialise at a moment’s notice, and criminals operate across borders with unprecedented speed and sophistication,...

Europol report identifies the most threatening criminal networks in the EU

Europol’s new report, published today, entitled “Decoding the EU’s most threatening criminal networks”, delves into the characteristics of the criminal networks that pose the highest threat. This Europe-wide analysis focuses on criminal actors in a first-of-its-kind mapping of the most threatening criminal networks. It describes, in detail, how the most threatening criminal networks are organised, which criminal activities they engage...

Press Conference: Decoding the EU’s most threatening criminal networks

The report is the first of its kind to analyse in depth the characteristics that make criminal actors particularly threatening to the EU’s internal security.All EU Member States and 17 third countries contributed data for this analysis, resulting in a unique dataset over 800 criminal networks. The assessment will help law enforcement and policymakers to identify measures to disrupt them.The...

19 smugglers arrested in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

Overall results of the two action days:The leader of the network (High Value Target), a woman from Bosnia and Herzegovina, was arrested in Bosnia and Herzegovina18 significant criminal organisation members arrested (9 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 9 in Croatia)10 locations searched (in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia)Seizures include vehicles, electronic equipment and about EUR 65 000 in cashShift in...

Busted: 9 arrested in hit against holiday-rental fraudsters

During the operation on 19 March, law enforcement authorities also conducted 22 house searches in Sibiu and Vâlcea, Romania, where the gang was located. The group operated internationally and had branches in Spain.The operation led to the seizure of:over EUR 174 000 and RON 41 000 in cash55 g of goldelectronic devices, including 135 mobile phones, 29 laptops, 5 tablets,...

13 victims of human trafficking safeguarded in Spain

The suspects were arrested in Madrid, Palma, Barcelona and Poland during an action day on 14 November 2023. Seven house searches were also carried out, with six in Palma and one in Barcelona, leading to the seizure of electronic devices, documentation, and EUR 15 000 in cash.The criminal network also profited from the sale of sexual invigorates, so that male...

Almost 5 000 false identity documents seized in Greece

Overall results of the four action days:11 arrests (3 Palestinians, 3 Latvians, 2 Iranians, 2 Syrians, 1 Lebanese),4 print shops dismantled,Seizures including:4 650 illegal documents,electronic equipment,10 high-end laser printers and other equipment/material for the production of false documents,over EUR 20 000 in cash.Up to EUR 1 200 for a false IDThe investigation identified that the criminal network was active since...

35 arrests in coordinated raid against violent watch snatchers

The criminals’ technique was as unsophisticated as it was effective. Operating in gangs of three to five members, one accomplice would stake out potential victims in establishments such as fine-dining restaurants or upper-scale hotels. Once they had identified a person wearing an expensive wristwatch, the victim would be observed and followed by a gang member in anticipation of the ideal...

42 arrested for smuggling migrants across the Danube

A cross-border investigation led by the Romanian Border Police (Poliția de Frontieră), supported by Europol and involving the Bulgarian General Directorate Combating Organised Crime (Главна Дирекция Борба с организираната престъпност) and the German Police (Bundespolizeiinspektion Waidhaus), has resulted in the dismantling of an organised crime group involved in migrant smuggling. The group were smuggling migrants from Bulgaria to Romania, across...

Three arrested in Spain following migrant deaths at sea

A joint operation between the Spanish National Police (Polícia National) and the Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), supported by Europol, has led to the arrests of two men and a woman in Cádiz and Granada. The suspects carried out migrant smuggling activities, which resulted in deaths. The presumed members of the smuggling network allegedly facilitated the travel of migrants, in...

Time is up for criminal organisation counterfeiting luxury watches in Antwerp

During the action day on 12 March, authorities also conducted 26 searches in Belgium, Israel, Netherlands and Slovakia, resulting in the seizure of: 165 luxury watches with certificates, jewellery and other counterfeit products;200 diamonds;EUR 209 000 in cash;Crypto ledgers;Weapons;14 kg of drugs;Multiple electronic devices, including phones and computers;Credit cards and financial documentation.Additional involvement in drug traffickingThe investigation started in 2022, when...

Working Arrangement signed for establishing cooperative relations between the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of India and Europol

This Working Arrangement not only brings together CBI and Europol but also links the law enforcement authorities in the Republic of India with law enforcement authorities of the Member States of the European Union, as well as third countries and organisations associated with Europol. It establishes clear mechanisms for communication, cooperation, and collaboration, ensuring that respective law enforcement agencies can...

57 men arrested for possessing and sharing over 100 000 depictions of child sexual abuse

Officers learned how to carry out targeted investigations against perpetrators suspected of abusing their own children or at least possessing and distributing material depicting the sexual abuse of children. During the action, over 100 000 illegal files were seized. As the forensic examination of the seized digital devices is still ongoing, investigators estimate that a final total of more than...

Working Arrangement signed for establishing cooperative relations between the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of India and Europol

This Working Arrangement not only brings together CBI and Europol but also links the law enforcement authorities in the Republic of India with law enforcement authorities of the Member States of the European Union, as well as third countries and organisations associated with Europol. It establishes clear mechanisms for communication, cooperation, and collaboration, ensuring that respective law enforcement agencies can...

35 arrests in coordinated raid against violent watch snatchers

The criminals’ technique was as unsophisticated as it was effective. Operating in gangs of three to five members, one accomplice would stake out potential victims in establishments such as fine-dining restaurants or upper-scale hotels. Once they had identified a person wearing an expensive wristwatch, the victim would be observed and followed by a gang member in anticipation of the ideal...

Busted: 9 arrested in hit against holiday-rental fraudsters

During the operation on 19 March, law enforcement authorities also conducted 22 house searches in Sibiu and Vâlcea, Romania, where the gang was located. The group operated internationally and had branches in Spain.The operation led to the seizure of:over EUR 174 000 and RON 41 000 in cash55 g of goldelectronic devices, including 135 mobile phones, 29 laptops, 5 tablets,...

Three arrested in Spain following migrant deaths at sea

A joint operation between the Spanish National Police (Polícia National) and the Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), supported by Europol, has led to the arrests of two men and a woman in Cádiz and Granada. The suspects carried out migrant smuggling activities, which resulted in deaths. The presumed members of the smuggling network allegedly facilitated the travel of migrants, in...

42 arrested for smuggling migrants across the Danube

A cross-border investigation led by the Romanian Border Police (Poliția de Frontieră), supported by Europol and involving the Bulgarian General Directorate Combating Organised Crime (Главна Дирекция Борба с организираната престъпност) and the German Police (Bundespolizeiinspektion Waidhaus), has resulted in the dismantling of an organised crime group involved in migrant smuggling. The group were smuggling migrants from Bulgaria to Romania, across...

Time is up for criminal organisation counterfeiting luxury watches in Antwerp

During the action day on 12 March, authorities also conducted 26 searches in Belgium, Israel, Netherlands and Slovakia, resulting in the seizure of: 165 luxury watches with certificates, jewellery and other counterfeit products;200 diamonds;EUR 209 000 in cash;Crypto ledgers;Weapons;14 kg of drugs;Multiple electronic devices, including phones and computers;Credit cards and financial documentation.Additional involvement in drug traffickingThe investigation started in 2022, when...

13 victims of human trafficking safeguarded in Spain

The suspects were arrested in Madrid, Palma, Barcelona and Poland during an action day on 14 November 2023. Seven house searches were also carried out, with six in Palma and one in Barcelona, leading to the seizure of electronic devices, documentation, and EUR 15 000 in cash.The criminal network also profited from the sale of sexual invigorates, so that male...

19 smugglers arrested in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

Overall results of the two action days:The leader of the network (High Value Target), a woman from Bosnia and Herzegovina, was arrested in Bosnia and Herzegovina18 significant criminal organisation members arrested (9 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 9 in Croatia)10 locations searched (in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia)Seizures include vehicles, electronic equipment and about EUR 65 000 in cashShift in...

Tabletop exercise hosted by Europol to disrupt terrorist content online

Who was involved?This year's exercise brought together law enforcement representatives involved in applying both the EU Crisis Protocol and Regulation (EU) 2021/784, online service providers, the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), as well as policymakers from governments and EU bodies.A rapid, coordinated response to terrorist content onlineThe EU Crisis Protocol, adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers...

57 men arrested for possessing and sharing over 100 000 depictions of child sexual abuse

Officers learned how to carry out targeted investigations against perpetrators suspected of abusing their own children or at least possessing and distributing material depicting the sexual abuse of children. During the action, over 100 000 illegal files were seized. As the forensic examination of the seized digital devices is still ongoing, investigators estimate that a final total of more than...

Almost 5 000 false identity documents seized in Greece

Overall results of the four action days:11 arrests (3 Palestinians, 3 Latvians, 2 Iranians, 2 Syrians, 1 Lebanese),4 print shops dismantled,Seizures including:4 650 illegal documents,electronic equipment,10 high-end laser printers and other equipment/material for the production of false documents,over EUR 20 000 in cash.Up to EUR 1 200 for a false IDThe investigation identified that the criminal network was active since...

Europol and EMCDDA spotlight drug-related violence in latest market overview

The new report offers a strategic and top-level summary of the EU drug market, based on a robust understanding of the current drug landscape and emerging threats. It also provides an overview of key developments by drug and outlines actions to address current threats and increase preparedness.The report is the final module of the broader EU Drug Markets: In-depth analysis...

Online Press Conference: EU Drug Market

The EU retail drug market is estimated to be worth at least EUR 30 billion annually and is a major source of income for organised crime. The large-scale production of cannabis and synthetic drugs taking place in the EU or the drug flows of particularly cocaine arriving from Latin America, are examples of how Europe takes a central position in...

53 members of a criminal organisation arrested for sports corruption in Spain

According to Spanish authorities, the criminal network fixed football, tennis and table tennis matches in more than 20 countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia and Bolivia. The suspects sold their personal data and betting platform account details to the criminal network. With this information, the kingpins of the organisation would bet massively on predetermined results, defrauding betting houses and obtaining...

Eight arrested for sexual exploitation in Belgium and Hungary

The action day in mid-February led to the arrests of eight suspects in Belgium and Hungary. Officers in Belgium arrested four Belgian, one French and one Hungarian, while officers in Hungary arrested one Belgian and one Hungarian national. During the raids, authorities seized 16 high-end vehicles, luxury goods including jewellery and luxury watches, digital equipment, and mobile phones, as well...

Europol supports EPPO investigation into EUR 195 million VAT fraud scheme

Over 180 searches were carried out simultaneously in Albania, Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.  Over 680 tax and police investigators supported the investigative measures. During the searches, law enforcement seized vast quantities of smartphones, worth more than EUR 15.3 million, as well as a yacht, worth...

Full-scale action against money laundering network via Lithuanian financial institution for over EUR 2 billion

A third main suspect, leading another organised crime group (OCG), was arrested in the same operation for defrauding the Italian authorities of EUR 15 million in public funds. These funds were laundered via the same web of myriad enterprises, centred around the financial institution in Lithuania.During an action day on 27 February, around 250 judicial representatives and law enforcement officers...

Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians visit Europol

Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians have visited Europol today in The Hague, the Netherlands, where they heard about the Agency’s work in helping EU Member States fight serious and organised crime across Europe.Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle welcomed their Majesties, who were accompanied by the Belgian Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden.Their Majesties and the...

Five High Value Targets arrested as one of the largest networks smuggling migrants across the English Channel halted

The action day on 21 February led to:19 arrests in Germany (7 under Belgian judicial order and 12 under French judicial order)5 High Value Targets (the leader and the main organisers) arrested28 locations (19 houses and 9 storage places) searched in GermanySeizures include: 24 inflatable boats, 175 life vests, 81 flotation devices for children, 60 air pumps, 13 outboard mounts,...

Over 100 searches and 4 arrests in France, Germany, Italy, Latvia and Malta against financial institution involved in money laundering

During the action day, over 460 police officers were deployed to carry out the searches. Germany also deployed four officers to support the investigations and searches in Latvia and Malta. In addition to the arrests, various bank accounts and properties were seized.The Maltese financial institution laundered at least EUR 4.5 million in proceedings from criminal activities since end of 2015....

Crackdown on multimillion euro VAT fraud involving car sales

Three individuals, suspected of being the ringleaders of the fraud scheme, were arrested in Germany. During the searches, carried out in several locations across Germany (including Munich, Cologne and Rostock) and Italy, over 40 expensive vehicles and a luxury apartment in Munich were seized. In addition, several bank accounts, valuing over EUR 1.2 million were frozen. Law enforcement seized cash...

Ongoing action targets large migrant smuggling network

A large-scale operation involving law enforcement and judicial authorities from Belgium, France and Germany and coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, has led to the dismantling of one of the most active networks involved in the smuggling of migrants across the English Channel in small boats. The investigation focused on an Iraqi-Kurdish network suspected of smuggling middle-Eastern and East African irregular migrants...

Law enforcement disrupt world’s biggest ransomware operation

LockBit is widely recognised as the world’s most prolific and harmful ransomware, causing billions of euros worth of damage.This international sweep follows a complex investigation led by the UK's National Crime Agency in the framework of an international taskforce known as ‘Operation Cronos’, coordinated at European level by Europol and Eurojust.The months-long operation has resulted in the compromise of LockBit’s...

Properties worth EUR 48 million frozen after cocaine sweep in Ecuador and Spain

The joint action day in Spain and Ecuador led to:31 arrests (13 in Spain and 18 in Ecuador);2 High Value Targets arrested;66 location searches (22 in Spain and 40 in Ecuador);Seizures included: 25 vehicles, 10 firearms, electronic equipment estimated at about EUR 13 million and almost EUR 3 million cash in various currencies, including euros; Property frozen for a total value...

Fake medicines worth EUR 64 million off EU markets

Europol supported this wide-reaching operation with several operational meetings and the deployment of specialists with mobile offices offering analytical and forensic support. Operation SHIELD’s 2023 edition was led by a steering group composed of Italian, French, Greek and Spanish law enforcement authorities.  The trafficking of pharmaceuticals is a growing issue in the European Union and beyond. The investigations under SHIELD...

International cybercrime malware service targeting thousands of unsuspecting consumers dismantled

On 7 February, two suspects were arrested in Malta and Nigeria in the framework of the operation. The suspects are accused of selling the malware and supporting cybercriminals who used the malware for malicious purposes. Europol provided analytical support to the investigation which led to the operation involving Australia, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Romania and the United...

EUR 1 million in assets seized in hit against ID forgers

The Carabinieri Anti-Money Counterfeiting Command of Rome initiated the investigation into this criminal network in September 2020. This uncovered that the suspected members had allegedly facilitated illegal immigration through the production and dissemination of fake driving licences, registration documents, and national identification documents. The criminal network is also suspected of forging and trafficking foreign currency banknotes.Faking EU IDs and Congolese...

Joint Statement on Ivanti Connect Secure and Ivanti Policy Secure Vulnerabilities

Following the initial disclosure of two vulnerabilities at the beginning of January, two additional vulnerabilities were disclosed on 31 January 2024, which impact all supported versions of Ivanti Connect Secure and Ivanti Policy Secure Gateway products and make it possible for attackers to run commands on the system. Broader exploitation of the initially disclosed vulnerabilities had been observed already as...

Major blow to Albanian drug trafficking network: 59 arrests across Europe

Initial investigations against the OCG were launched in 2019 by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) of Florence – District Antimafia Directorate. From January 2020, the Italian and Albanian authorities of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) in Tirana contacted Eurojust to coordinate cross-border judicial cooperation against this complex network. It operated from both Albania and Italy, transporting drugs by car to...

Europol supports EMPACT action week at 61 airports across 36 countries worldwide

During the action week, the involved authorities carried out checks on passengers and their luggage, as well as on parcels and cargo shipments, at 61 major airports. The checks aimed at detecting the possession or trafficking of drugs, especially cocaine, originating from Latin America. Another objective was to enhance the cooperation between police and customs authorities on both sides of...

Europol and Frontex forge closer cooperation

The mandates of both EU agencies have been significantly enhanced in recent years, opening new possibilities to work together, particularly in the fields of migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The joint statement outlines how the two agencies can better coordinate their activities to complement each other. The statement identifies concrete short and long-term priority actions. In practice, Frontex’s role is to provide...

15 arrested for arranging sham marriages in Cyprus

The investigation into this criminal network uncovered that the suspects allegedly recruited Latvian and Portuguese nationals and facilitated their journeys to Cyprus, where the women entered into arranged marriages with third-country nationals. The suspects, mainly Indian, Pakistani and Portuguese citizens, arranged all the logistics including the purchase of flight tickets and the acquisition of passports and other required documents. The OTF’s...

15 arrested in intercontinental crackdown against Nigerian crime syndicates

Results of the operation include:15 persons arrested18 victims or possible human trafficking victims detected4 new investigations initiated398 flights monitored13 harbours monitored19 postal services and express delivery companies monitored57 checkpoints at borders and hotspots establishedSerious organised crime coordinated from NigeriaNigerian criminal networks have long been renowned for trafficking in human beings and a variety of fraud, but in recent years they...