Massive Cybercrime Ring Busted

Europol, in a significant crackdown on cybercrime, has successfully dismantled a sophisticated criminal network, culminating in the arrest of seven individuals and the seizure of extensive illegal infrastructure. This operation, named ‘SIMCARTEL’, was carried out on October 10, 2025, in Latvia, targeting a service that facilitated a myriad of cybercrimes across Europe through telecom fraud.

The coordinated raids led to the capture of five Latvian nationals, the takedown of five critical servers, and the confiscation of about 1,200 SIM-box devices that operated 40,000 active SIM cards. This network was implicated in over 3,200 cyber fraud cases in Austria and Latvia, with financial damages amounting to millions of euros. The intricate setup allowed criminals globally to mask their identities using legally registered telephone numbers from over 80 countries, enabling offenses ranging from phishing and smishing to more severe crimes like extortion and migrant smuggling.

The operation’s success was a result of a collaborative effort involving law enforcement agencies from Austria, Estonia, and Latvia, with strategic and operational support from Europol and Eurojust. Investigators took control of two websites integral to the operation, froze substantial amounts in bank and cryptocurrency accounts of the suspects, and seized luxury vehicles. The broader implications of the network’s activities are still being uncovered, as it facilitated the creation of over 49 million fraudulent online accounts.

Europol’s concerted action underlines the ongoing commitment of European law enforcement to combat cyber-enabled crimes. This operation not only highlights the technical prowess and international cooperation required to tackle such sophisticated criminal networks but also signals a strong stance against the increasing menace of telecom fraud-related cybercrime.