Investigators from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, the USA and Brazil worked together on Operation SpecTor. According to Europol, the operations consisted of separate but coordinated operations. In Germany, the measures led to the arrest of 52 people. The highest number of arrests – 153 in total – occurred in the United States.
The so-called “Monopoly Market” was an important transshipment point for illegal drugs and other prohibited goods, such as forged documents and money laundering services. The market's operators relied on anonymity and encryption to hide from law enforcement. Nevertheless, the investigators managed to identify and arrest the operators and numerous users of the marketplace.
The arrests took place in a total of 33 countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Canada and Germany. The authorities also confiscated large quantities of drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines, heroin and other substances, as well as cash and cryptocurrencies worth several million euros.
Analysis of customer data is not yet completed
Several investigations are currently underway to identify additional people hiding behind the darknet accounts. Because law enforcement has gained insight into vendors' detailed customer lists, thousands of customers worldwide could be subject to criminal prosecution.
Europol Operation Spector
The operation shows that international cooperation between law enforcement authorities is successful and that darknet trading is also becoming less and less safe. Police authorities are continually working to break the anonymity and encryption of darknet markets and hold their users and operators accountable.
After the successful completion of the operation, Europol is confident:
“Our alliance of law enforcement agencies from three continents shows that we are stronger together” and “This action sends a clear signal to criminals on the Dark Web: International law enforcement agencies have the resources and competence to uncover illegal activities and hold those responsible accountable themselves on the Dark Web.”
Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director of Europol
Source: Europol
In keeping with the topic: Strike against cybercriminals in the underground economy
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