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Europol Dismantles €700 Million Crypto Fraud Network After Two-Phase Raids

The scheme leveraged fake trading platforms, deepfake promotions, call‑center pressure to lure thousands.

Overview

  • Europol announced the takedown after coordinated actions supported by Eurojust and national forces across Europe and Israel.
  • The first raids on Oct. 27 in Cyprus, Germany and Spain resulted in nine arrests and seizures including €800,000 in bank funds, €415,000 in crypto, €300,000 in cash, devices and luxury watches.
  • A second phase on Nov. 25–26 targeted the affiliate marketing backbone in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany and Israel that produced fake endorsements and harvested victim data.
  • Investigators report more than €700 million was moved through multiple blockchains, exchanges, wallets and shell companies to obscure the flow of funds.
  • Authorities say asset tracing and digital forensic work are ongoing to identify additional suspects and recover proceeds.