A massive, years-long international police operation has successfully taken down a huge cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering network in Europe. The entire investigation was a joint effort involving multiple national authorities, with key support from Europol and Eurojust.
According to Europol’s press release, what started as a probe into a single fraudulent platform grew into an incredibly complex case, revealing a criminal organisation that laundered over EUR 700 million by tricking thousands of victims into fake crypto investments.
The scam’s modus operandi involved scammers gaining victims’ trust with deceptive ads, including the use of deepfake videos to impersonate media outlets, celebrities, and politicians.
How the Network Operated
The scammers set up numerous fake investment sites, reportedly using aggressive marketing to lure people with promises of great returns. Victims were then repeatedly contacted by malicious call centres and pressured to send more money based on fake profit reports.
Once the cryptocurrency was transferred, it was immediately stolen and moved across various online systems and exchanges to hide the trail.
Key Action Days and Major Seizures
Europol confirmed the operation encompassed two major, multi-country phases. The first key actions took place on 27 October 2025, with coordinated police raids carried out in Cyprus, Germany, and Spain at the request of French and Belgian authorities. These raids led directly to the arrest of nine individuals suspected of laundering illicit cash.
During this phase, authorities made substantial seizures, including:
- EUR 300,000 in cash
- EUR 800,000 in bank accounts
- EUR 415,000 in cryptocurrencies
- Digital devices and expensive watches
Additionally, through extensive investigation, the network’s complexity was identified, leading to the operation’s second phase on 25 and 26 November 2025. This phase focused on dismantling the scam’s support system, targeting the affiliate marketing infrastructure and suspects behind the fake social media advertising. Law enforcement teams from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, and Israel conducted searches during these action days.
The operation was supported by EMPACT (The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats), a crucial framework that unites police, customs, and judicial authorities to tackle serious organised crime across the EU.
“The final actions in this sweeping international operation have successfully dismantled a large-scale cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering network that had laundered over EUR 700 million,” Europol’s press release confirmed while emphasising the importance of this joint measure against highly organised online financial crime.