A Europol-supported operation, led by German authorities and involving law enforcement from eight countries, including both the National Police and Guardia Civil in Spain, has led to the takedown of the two largest cybercrime forums in the world.

The two platforms, Cracked and Nulled, had more than 10 million users in total. Both of these underground economy forums offered a quick entry point into the cybercrime scene. These sites worked as one-stop shops and were used not only for discussions on cybercrime but also as marketplaces for illegal goods and cybercrime-as-a-service, such as stolen data, malware or hacking tools. Investigators estimate that suspects earned EUR 1 million in criminal profits.

The operation took place from 28 to 30 January and led to:

• 2 suspects arrested
• 7 properties searched
• 17 servers and over 50 electronic devices seized
• Around EUR 300 000 of cash and cryptocurrencies seized

Throughout the course of the action day, 12 domains within the platforms Cracked and Nulled were seized. Other associated services were also taken down; including a financial processor named Sellix which was used by Cracked, and a hosting service called StarkRDP, which was promoted on both of the platforms and run by the same suspects.

Between April and November 2024, law enforcement, judicial, customs, medical and anti-doping authorities from 30 countries joined forces in Operation SHIELD V. Europol coordinated this global effort targeting the trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines and illicit doping substances. As in the previous editions, the 2024 operation was supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Frontex, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national medicine agencies.

Operation SHIELD’s 2024 edition was led by a steering group composed of French, Greek, Italian and Spanish law enforcement authorities. Europol supported this wide-reaching operation with several operational meetings and the deployment of experts with mobile offices offering analytical and forensic support.

Preliminary results of Operation SHIELD V

• 418 individuals arrested, charged, or under prosecution
• 52 organised crime groups investigated
• 4 underground labs dismantled
• Total seizures worth above EUR 11.1 million, including:
• 426 016 illegal packages of illegal pharmaceuticals
• 4 111 kilograms of powder and raw material
• 108 litres of active ingredient
• 174 968 vials and ampoules
• over 4 683 426 tablets and pills
• 4 083 anti-doping “in and out competition” controls carried out

Pharmaceutical crime is a growing threat in the EU

Pharmaceutical crime has a direct impact on public health and safety, as it affects individuals, communities and national healthcare systems. It generates enormous financial losses for legitimate companies, undermines brand credibility but also endangers investments in research. To emphasise this growing threat, Europol has launched a dedicated report on intellectual property crime (IPC) targeting the production and marketing of pharmaceutical products.

Selling sub-standard, falsely labelled, or falsified pharmaceutical products, as well as products diverted from the legal supply chain, organised crime networks are behind a wide range of illicit medicines and doping substances.

Purchasing fake medicines pays criminals, risks the consumers’ health, and undermines the economy

Fake medicines traded in the EU are on the rise, which comes with a huge cost for the individual and society. Europol, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have come together to raise awareness about the issue of fake medicines and how they work to protect consumers against this threat.

Social media and online marketplaces, both on the surface and on the dark web, continue to be central to the trade of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. These platforms provide various degrees of anonymity and target wide audiences, making it challenging to identify the criminal actors involved.

Purchasing fake medicines pays criminals, risks consumers’ health, and undermines the economy. Consumers are warned to be mindful to not fund organised crime or harm themselves by buying fake medicines.

Advertisement

New profiles of murderers and criminals wanted for serious crimes have been added to the EU Most Wanted website. These individuals have blood on their hands – they have caused or attempted to cause the death of another person and could be walking among us.

Can you help us bring these dangerous fugitives to justice? All it takes is a quick look. By spending just a few seconds viewing their profiles, you could help bring them to justice and save more potential victims.

They have taken lives, let’s take them down.

The European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST), supported by Europol, maintains the EU Most Wanted website to seek help finding fugitives across Europe. Over 20 criminals have just been added and this year’s catchphrase “blood on their hands” seeks to increase public awareness about dangerous fugitives wanted for serious crimes such as murder.

When you send an anonymous tip via the website, you will reach the ENFAST community, which is the European network of police officers within national fugitive teams. They are available around the clock and can immediately undertake action to locate and arrest fugitives when necessary. The members of ENFAST are all specialised in locating criminals on the run who are suspected, or have been convicted, of serious crimes and are subjects of European Arrest Warrants.

One tip could make all the difference.

This website has a proven track record since its launch in 2016:

Advertisement

• 454 fugitive profiles have been published;
• 164 fugitives have been apprehended;
• 53 arrests occurred directly due to profiles published on the platform.

If you do recognise someone, do not approach them directly. Let us know through the fugitives’ profile pages. All new profiles are marked in red. Anonymous tips are accepted too.