Law enforcement in Europe

Russian-speaking hackers arrested in Poland over ATM jackpotting attacks

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Criminal investigation, Articles, Science and technology, Technology, European Union, Europol, Law enforcement in Europe, Automated teller machine

The two suspects - both Belarusian nationals, were arrested in Warsaw on 17 July.

Key Points: 
  • The two suspects - both Belarusian nationals, were arrested in Warsaw on 17 July.
  • The investigation uncovered that these criminals committed dozens of ATM attacks in at least seven European countries, stealing an estimated 230 000 in cash.
  • The criminals were always targeting the same brand and model of ATM.
  • Europol support

    This operation was carried out in the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).

Polish Border Guard arrest 16 after discovery of illegal cigarette factory

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Psychoactive drugs, Criminal investigation, European Union, Europol, Law enforcement in Europe, Organized crime, Tobacco, Crime, Government, Illicit cigarette trade

Europol has assisted the Polish authorities in dismantling an organised crime group involved in the production of illegal cigarettes.

Key Points: 
  • Europol has assisted the Polish authorities in dismantling an organised crime group involved in the production of illegal cigarettes.
  • An action day was organised in Poland on 27 July which saw over 100 officers from the Border Guard (Stra Graniczna) searched a number of locations across the province of Warsaw.
  • An illicit factory was dismantled, and 16 suspects charged for their involvement in this illegal tobacco activity.
  • Over 1.6 million counterfeit cigarettes were seized on site by the Polish authorities, alongside 13 tonnes of tobacco which could have been used to produce a further 13 million cigarettes.

Jihadist content targeted on Internet Archive platform

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, July 17, 2021
Marketing, Criminal investigation, European Union, Europol, Law enforcement in Europe, Referral marketing, Government

The Referral Action Day focused on enhancing content moderation

Key Points: 
  • The Referral Action Day focused on enhancing content moderation

    A Referral Action Day (RAD) targeting online jihadist propaganda took place on 14 July 2021.

  • The Referral Action Day targeted online jihadist propaganda disseminated on the Internet Archive platform by referring these materials to the provider with the request to review them against the terms of service.
  • This Referral Action Day focused on strengthening cooperation between Europol and law enforcement agencies together with the Internet Archive platform.
  • It also provided insights, which would enhance the content moderation policies in view of the Regulation on addressing the dissemination of Terrorist Content Online (TCO Regulation).

Eighteen arrested in Spain in a sting against migrant smugglers operating overseas

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 12, 2021
Government, Countries, Geography of Europe, Criminal investigation, European Union, Europol, Law enforcement in Europe, Kosovo, United States Department of Homeland Security, Identity document, HSI

Couriers travelling to Kosovo and Albania to distribute the falsified documents were also arrested in December 2020.

Key Points: 
  • Couriers travelling to Kosovo and Albania to distribute the falsified documents were also arrested in December 2020.
  • So far, the investigation has led to 46 arrests, more than 400 migrants identified at airports and 1 000 false documents seized.
  • Intelligence shared by the US Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led to the identification of a high-value target in Spain.
  • Europol also financed the deployment of officers from the Albanian State Police who took part in the action day in Spain.

Twenty-five victims of sexual exploitation identified in Romania and Spain

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 9, 2021
Criminal investigation, European Union, Europol, Law enforcement in Europe, Government, Law enforcement, National security

The investigation resulted in two action days, one in Spain in February 2021 and one in Romania in June 2021.

Key Points: 
  • The investigation resulted in two action days, one in Spain in February 2021 and one in Romania in June 2021.
  • The two actions led to:

    The organised crime group with branches in Romania and Spain was luring victims into prostitution with the so-called lover boy method.

  • The victims were sexually exploited in night clubs in Spain.
  • Europol financed the deployment of two Spanish agents in Romania for operational meetings and participation in the action day.

Coordinated action cuts off access to VPN service used by ransomware groups

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Government, Agencies of the European Union, Law enforcement in Europe, Articles, Criminal investigation, Eurojust, European Union, Prosecution, Europol, Cybercrime, Korps landelijke politiediensten, Virtual private network

This is a virtual private network (VPN) service which provided a safe haven for cybercriminals to attack their victims.

Key Points: 
  • This is a virtual private network (VPN) service which provided a safe haven for cybercriminals to attack their victims.
  • This coordinated takedown, led by the Dutch National Police (Politie), under jurisdiction of the National Public Prosecutors Office (Landelijk Parket), with international activity coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, has now ended the availability of this service.
  • This coordinated takedown was carried out in the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).
  • The leading Dutch Public Prosecutor Ms Wieteke Koorn stated:

    The Head of Europols EC3, Edvardas ileris, commented:

    Participating authorities and agencies:

Six arrested for armed robberies of jewellery shops across Europe

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Law enforcement in Europe, Agencies of the European Union, Criminal investigation, European Union, Europol, Organized crime, Government, Law enforcement, National security

An organised crime group behind a sting of violent armed robberies committed across Europe has been dismantled as a result of an international investigation facilitated by Europol.

Key Points: 
  • An organised crime group behind a sting of violent armed robberies committed across Europe has been dismantled as a result of an international investigation facilitated by Europol.
  • A total of six individuals all Estonian nationals were arrested over the course of the past two years.
  • The smash-and-grab gang, armed with large hammers and a handgun, would hold up at gunpoint the employees of jewellery shops, before breaking the glass counters and running off with the jewellery.
  • The international coordination was carried out by Europol who brought together in 2017 the national investigators who have since been working closely together.

Highlights - Exchange of views: Alleged Fraud on EU funds - the "Mafia Trial" - Committee on Budgetary Control

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 11, 2021
Organizations, Articles, International organizations, Agencies of the European Union, Law enforcement in Europe, Criminal investigation, European Union, Europol, Nebrodi, The Commission

On 15 June 2021, the Committee on Budgetary Control will have an exchange of views on the "Mafia Trial": when organised crime attack the EU funds.

Key Points: 
  • On 15 June 2021, the Committee on Budgetary Control will have an exchange of views on the "Mafia Trial": when organised crime attack the EU funds.
  • Following 94 arrests and the seizure of 151 farms, the on-going trial in Sicily has brought to the attention of the public the modi operandi of the so-called Mafia dei Nebrodi, a criminal organization dedicated to the exploitation of EU resources that co-finance agricultural activities and rural areas.
  • The exchange of views with EPPO, EUROPOL, the Italian investigators and prosecutors and the Commission's services is aimed at offering to the Members an overview of the phenomenon, how it affects the EU resources and how it expands in many European countries.
  • The debate will assess the existing strategies to counter its development, with a view to identify possible further actions to protect the EU resources at stake.

Keeping the UEFA EURO 2020 championship safe

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 11, 2021
Law enforcement in Europe, Agencies of the European Union, Criminal investigation, European Union, Europol, Euro, Currency, Government, Continents

This special operational set-up is created to enable swift cooperation and provide the necessary operational support for a safe and secure championship.

Key Points: 
  • This special operational set-up is created to enable swift cooperation and provide the necessary operational support for a safe and secure championship.
  • To that end, Europol has created a special Task Force EURO 2020 to enable keeping officers on the ground 24/7 to easily exchange information and swiftly receive leads on ongoing investigations.
  • Police intelligence officers of all participating countries are doing their utmost to ensure that this unique UEFA EURO 2020 championship will be as safe as possible.
  • IPCC UEFA EURO 2020 Participants (total number):

    EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands.

Europol helps Spanish authorities break up a €26.5 million VAT fraud scheme

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Agencies of the European Union, Law enforcement in Europe, Government agencies, Government, Criminal investigation, Eurojust, European Union, Europol, Value-added tax, European Public Prosecutor's Office

On 28 April, some 24 places belonging to the crime gang were searched in a series of coordinated raids.

Key Points: 
  • On 28 April, some 24 places belonging to the crime gang were searched in a series of coordinated raids.
  • Europol deployed its experts to Spain and the Netherlands to support the national authorities during the action day.
  • By pretending a trade across the EU, the VAT payment was avoided and henceforth the Spanish tax authorities defrauded upon.
  • At request of the Spanish authorities, Eurojust organised a coordination meeting and set up a coordination centre within a few days.