Global Dark Web Crackdown Results in 270 Arrests

A major global law enforcement operation led by Europol has resulted in the arrest of 270 individuals involved in dark web criminal activities across ten countries. Known as Operation RapTor, this coordinated sweep targeted dark web vendors and buyers trafficking in drugs, weapons, and counterfeit goods, marking a significant achievement in combating online criminal networks.

The suspects, who operated on illicit marketplaces using encryption tools and cryptocurrencies, were identified through intelligence gathered from the takedowns of dark web platforms such as Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia, and Kingdom Markets. This operation follows the success of Operation SpecTor in 2023, which led to 288 arrests, demonstrating law enforcement’s increasing ability to penetrate the dark web’s anonymity.

Arrests were made in countries including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, and others. Alongside the arrests, authorities seized over EUR 184 million in cash and cryptocurrencies, 2 tonnes of drugs, 180 firearms, counterfeit products, and illegal tobacco, disrupting criminal supply chains fueling the dark web economy.

Europol played a crucial role in supporting the operation by analyzing intelligence data and sharing it with national authorities through the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce. This successful global action highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating online crime and sends a clear message to those operating in the shadows of the dark web.

Law enforcement agencies from various countries, including the US, Germany, France, the UK, and others, collaborated closely to make this operation possible. Despite evolving tactics by criminal groups, the message remains clear that no platform is beyond the reach of coordinated law enforcement efforts, emphasizing the need for continued international cooperation and support for agencies like Europol to ensure a safer online environment for all.