- Europol’s Operation Endgame, led by France, Germany, and the Netherlands, dismantled major botnets and disrupted over 100 internet servers.
- Four arrests were made in Ukraine and Armenia, targeting cybercriminals behind ransomware attacks impacting thousands globally.
- The operation seized control of over 2000 domains, with one suspect allegedly earning €69 million in cryptocurrency from criminal activities.
Europol recently announced a major breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, revealing the success of Operation Endgame. This collaborative effort, led by France, Germany, and the Netherlands, resulted in the dismantling of significant botnets and the arrest of four individuals in Ukraine and Armenia.
Europol-Led cybercrime sting
Europol announced a significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, with the arrest of four individuals in Ukraine and Armenia. This operation, dubbed Operation Endgame, targeted international cybercriminal networks responsible for deploying ransomware that affected thousands of individuals worldwide. Led by France, Germany, and the Netherlands, the sting dismantled major botnets, including IcedID, Smokeloader, SystemBC, Pikabot, and Bumblebee.
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International collaboration and arrests
The sting operation involved collaboration between several countries, including Britain, the United States, and Ukraine. Europol highlighted the extensive coordination required for the operation’s success. Notably, the arrests in Armenia and Ukraine, along with the takedown of over 100 internet servers, signify a significant blow to cybercrime networks operating across borders.
Impact and financial gains of cybercriminals
Europol’s efforts aim to disrupt the infrastructure used by cybercriminals to launch ransomware attacks, which cause significant economic damage globally. The operation seized control of more than 2000 domains and revealed that one main suspect had amassed €69 million ($77.9 million) in cryptocurrency by renting out criminal infrastructure for ransomware deployment. These actions seek to protect potential victims and mitigate the economic consequences of cybercrime.
