In a sweeping crackdown on cybercrime, Europol has spearheaded ‘Operation Endgame,’ a comprehensive international law enforcement action against cybercriminals. The operation, which took place between May 27 and 29, targeted the infrastructure of six malware families, including Trickbot, IcedID, System BC, Bumblebee, Pikabot, and Smokeloader. These malware families have been used to infect computers and facilitate the theft of personal data and the deployment of ransomware.The operation led to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of over 100 servers. Additionally, approximately 1,300 domains have been taken offline, disrupting the botnets that play a significant role in ransomware attacks. Eight fugitives are now on Europe’s Most Wanted list, with ten international arrest warrants issued. The operation involved coordinated efforts from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, the UK, and the US, with raids conducted in Armenia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Ukraine.One of the main suspects in the operation is reported to have earned at least 69 million euros in cryptocurrency by renting out criminal infrastructure to deploy ransomware. The seized data is currently being analyzed, which may lead to further investigations and the identification of additional victims. This operation is considered the largest blow against cybercrime to date and highlights the commitment of international law enforcement agencies to combat the global threat of cybercriminal activities.
Key points
- Operation Endgame, led by Europol, targeted six malware families, resulting in four arrests and the disruption of cybercrime infrastructure.
- Over 100 servers were seized and around 1,300 domains were shut down, significantly impacting the deployment of ransomware.
- Eight individuals are now on Europe’s Most Wanted list, with ten international arrest warrants issued in the operation.
- The operation involved law enforcement agencies from multiple countries and is considered the largest action against cybercrime to date.
