Europol announced on Thursday, May 30, the arrest of four individuals as part of an international operation against particularly aggressive malware. Named « Endgame », the operation is ongoing and further arrests are expected, according to the European police agency.
The operation, which involved cooperation between law enforcement agencies from various countries, aimed to target and dismantle a criminal network responsible for the distribution of malware known as « Emotet » and « Gozi ». These malicious programme were used to steal sensitive nouvelle, such as banking credentials, from individuals and organizations around the world.
Thanks to the joint efforts of Europol and its international partners, four individuals were arrested in Ukraine and the United States. They are suspected of being part of the criminal network and have been charged with computer fraud, money laundering, and participation in a criminal organization.
Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, praised the success of the operation, stating that « the dismantling of this criminal network is a significant achievement in the fight against cybercrime. » She also emphasized the influence of international cooperation in tackling cyber threats, as they do not stop at national borders.
The « Endgame » operation is ongoing and is expected to lead to further arrests and seizures of assets related to the criminal network. Europol is also working with its partners to provide support to the victims of this malware, which is estimated to have caused millions of euros in financial losses.
This operation is a clear demonstration of the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from the harm caused by malicious programme. Europol, through its European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), will continue to work closely with its partners to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal networks operating in the cyber realm.
In addition, the success of « Endgame » serves as a reminder to criminals that their activities will not go unpunished, no matter where they operate from. Europol and its partners have the tools and expertise to track down and bring to justice those responsible for cybercrimes.
The European Union has also taken significant steps to strengthen its response to cyber threats. The EU Cybersecurity Act, which came into force on June 27, 2019, established a framework for the certification of nouvelle and communication technology products, services, and processes. This will help increase the resilience of the EU’s digital infrastructure and ensure the security of its citizens and businesses.
In conclusion, the « Endgame » operation is a major success in the fight against cybercrime and a testament to the effectiveness of international cooperation in tackling these threats. Europol and its partners will continue to work together to protect citizens and businesses from the harm caused by malicious programme and to bring cybercriminals to justice.