Operation Alice Targets Dark-Web Fraud Network With More Than 373,000 Onion Domains
Summary
German authorities, Europol and 23 countries targeted a dark-web network that allegedly used more than 373,000 onion domains to advertise nonexistent illegal material and cybercrime services. Authorities seized 105 servers and identified 440 customers.
Key points
- German authorities led Operation Alice with Europol support and participation from 23 countries.
- Investigators say one operator ran more than 373,000 onion domains, including over 90,000 used to advertise child sexual abuse material.
- Buyers paid in Bitcoin for packages that were never delivered; Europol estimated about €345,000 in proceeds from roughly 10,000 buyers.
- The platforms also advertised cybercrime-as-a-service offerings, including stolen credit card data and access to compromised backend systems.
- Authorities seized 105 servers, computers, phones, storage devices and financial proceeds.
- Investigators identified 440 customers; proceedings against more than 100 are ongoing.
Article Details
- Event Type
- International law-enforcement takedown and investigation of a fraudulent dark web network.
- Impact
- Authorities seized 105 servers and electronic devices. The operator allegedly defrauded around 10,000 buyers of approximately €345,000 by taking Bitcoin payments for material that was never delivered. The network also advertised stolen credit card data and access to compromised backend systems. Investigators identified 440 customers, with further investigations launched against them.
Countries
AustraliaThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.CanadaThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.ChinaA 35-year-old man operating from China ran the largest fraudulent dark web network ever dismantled, creating over 373,000 onion domains to advertise child sexual abuse material and cybercrime-as-a-service offerings.GermanyThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.MexicoThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.SpainThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.UkraineThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.United KingdomThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.United StatesThe participating nations included Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.