Increase of child sexual abuse material onlineThe production and distribution of child sexual abuse material has become increasingly reliant on the Internet, contributing to the proliferation of this crime. Over the past three years,…
In the early hours of 2 July, law enforcement authorities in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Ukraine raided 13 properties. As a result, seven suspects were arrested in Italy, three in Spain, one in Belgium, one in Germany and one in…
Some of the at least 84 confirmed victims lost their life savings when the criminals coerced them into handing over their money at their doorsteps. Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), the Mossos d’Esquadra and the Portuguese…
Between 24 and 28 June 2024, Europol hosted an operational sprint targeting buyers of live distant child abuse material. The sprint brought together representatives from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden,…
Of the many key milestones along the road, 2010 marks a particularly important date as Europol officially became a full EU Agency within the EU’s competence. Following the terrorist attack in Paris in November 2015, Europol’s Director Rob…
The large-scale law enforcement operation led to the arrest of 42 suspects - including the kingpin of the gang, who was in Spain under a false identity. In addition, 28 searches were conducted at several locations in Granada, Málaga and…
Building on the operation’s successful previous iterations, the proven multidisciplinary approach involved Europol, Frontex and INTERPOL along with police forces and border guards from several continents. This year, one aim was to identify…
The action day on 24 May 2024 in Almería led to:5 arrests including the suspected leader (1 Spanish, 2 Russian and 2 Ukrainian nationals)14 victims identified5 locations searchedSeizures including two luxury vehicles, in cash, electronic…
The investigation, initiated in April 2023, focused on a criminal network organising multi-tonne shipments to Europe of cocaine sourced in Ecuador and shipped from Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Guyana and Paraguay. Investigative leads link…
The servers supported multiple media outlets linked to Islamic State. They were used to disseminate worldwide propaganda and messages capable of inciting terrorism in at least thirty languages. Eurojust and Europol coordinated and…
Ten countries joined forces with Europol to disrupt the online propaganda activities of religious and politically motivated terrorist organisations across the ideological spectrum.This joint effort, known as Operation HOPPER II, targeted…
Targeting the full operational chain to dismantle the cocaine cartelThe internationally coordinated actions targeted the criminal network, which was orchestrating multi-tonne cocaine trafficking from Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador to the EU.…
Speakers:EuropolSpanish Guardia CivilEurojustCountries involved:Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Moldova, Netherlands, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United StatesDate:…
During the raid, officers seized the print shop used to counterfeit euro banknotes of various denominations (5, 10, 20 and 50). It was equipped with the tools and materials used to produce highly sophisticated counterfeits. Officers at the…
Encryption represents an important means of securing private communications. However, at the same time, it also enables threat actors to manage their malicious activities below the radar of law enforcement. Understanding the needs and…
This year, Europol’s photo competition is open to more entrants than ever before. As well as participants from law enforcement agencies in the EU Member States, we now also invite officers from all countries with agreements and working…
A series of raids were carried out on 21 and 27 May in France, Italy and Romania. They resulted in 11 detentions, including the mastermind behind the money laundering scheme. Law enforcement authorities also carried out 15 house searches…
The international operation began as a Spanish investigation, initiated when car rental and leasing companies in the Málaga area reported missing luxury cars. Investigators soon uncovered a criminal network that was using the driving…
Overall, the results of the action include:15 313 officers from law enforcement and labour and tax authorities participated in the action165 896 entities checked (including 63 649 persons, 9 564 locations, 20 556 vehicles and 76 670…
Between 27 and 29 May 2024 Operation Endgame, coordinated from Europol’s headquarters, targeted droppers including, IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, Bumblebee and Trickbot. The actions focused on disrupting criminal services through…
Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, said:Over the past quarter of a century, Europol has evolved remarkably. Our history is one of constant adaptation and transformation. We have continually adapted to the changing landscape…
It will include an opening speech from Commissioner Ylva Johansson and Executive Director of Europol Catherine De Bolle, followed by three moderated panel discussions:Panel I: Serious and Organised Crime: Disrupting Global Criminal…
Such a complex investigation had to be conducted in two phases: in the first, Spanish law enforcement authorities arrested 35 suspects for belonging to a criminal organisation, facilitating illegal immigration and forging documents.…
Between 29 April and 10 May 2024, over 30 participants from 24 partner countries as well as Europol and INTERPOL took part in the 14 Victim Identification Task Force (VIDTF), hosted at Europol’s Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands.…
It will include an opening speech from Commissioner Ylva Johansson and Executive Director of Europol Catherine De Bolle, followed by three moderated panel discussions:Panel I: Serious and Organised Crime: Disrupting Global Criminal…
Such a complex investigation had to be conducted in two phases: in the first, Spanish law enforcement authorities arrested 35 suspects for belonging to a criminal organisation, facilitating illegal immigration and forging documents.…
Between 29 April and 10 May 2024, over 30 participants from 24 partner countries as well as Europol and INTERPOL took part in the 14 Victim Identification Task Force (VIDTF), hosted at Europol’s Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands.…
The investigation was led by the Italian State Police (Polizia di Stato), with the support of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) and the Turkish National Police (Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğ).In total, 17 individuals – all Turkish…
Officers from the Guardia Civil, working together with Europol and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), seized 21 drums of liquid and solid chemicals used to extract and process cocaine after discovering the laboratory near Madrid…
On 29 and 30 April 2024, experts from law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, the EU and international organisations gathered at Europol headquarters to discuss the digital aspect of migrant smuggling, the first of a series of meetings as…