News

Europol raid against skimming, cybercrime gang nets 65 suspects

The network took in an estimated $2.7 million from criminal operations that ranged from illegal financial transactions to drug trafficking.

July 29, 2014

In mid-July, an international organized cybercrime network, composed mostly of Romanian citizens, was successfully taken down in Romania and France with the support of the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol.

According to a news release, the network is suspected of sophisticated electronic payment crimes including: intrusions into international noncash payment systems via malware; illegal worldwide financial transactions and money transfers; ATM skimming attacks; money laundering; and drug trafficking.

More than 115 individuals were interrogated and 65 detained in coordinated raids. Large sums of money, luxury vehicles, IT equipment and other types of evidence were seized 117 house searches conducted by 450 officers.

Losses resulting from the criminals' activities are estimated to be at least 2 million euros ($2.7 million). The proceeds were invested in property, deposited in bank accounts or transferred electronically to hide their illicit origin.

"[M]any individuals have now been detained after key locations were identified and targeted by law enforcement," said Troels Oerting, head of the European Cybercrime Centre. "The resounding success of such an operation is not the first and will not be the last, as police officers and prosecutors, alongside EC3, continue in their tireless endeavors to make payment transactions safer for customers throughout Europe and beyond."