European Law Enforcement Takedowns of Phishing and Investment-Fraud Networks
European law enforcement reported multiple cyber-enabled fraud disruptions, including a Eurojust-supported operation that dismantled a fraudulent call-centre network operating from three offices in Dnipro. Authorities from Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine arrested 11 suspects, seized more than €400,000 in cash, and collected electronic evidence (computers, SIM cards, documents) during searches at 32 locations. The group allegedly ran a fake cryptocurrency investment platform and used remote access software to gain access to victims’ online banking and move funds to accounts and crypto wallets under their control.
Separately, Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC) dismantled an organized group operating in Poland and Germany that used phishing to hijack Facebook accounts and extract BLIK payment codes. Investigators identified 11 group members, placed six in pretrial detention, and seized over 100,000 stolen Facebook credentials; prosecutors filed 400+ charges including unauthorized access, online fraud, and money laundering. A South Korean case involving the breach of Seoul’s bike-hire service Ttareungyi (4.62 million users affected) is a distinct incident and not part of the European takedown actions described above.
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