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The suspects carried out phishing attacks and other online scams such as SIM swapping and BEC attacks.
Law enforcement agencies in Italy and Spain have dismantled an organized criminal group associated with the Italian mafia and engaged in online fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking and real estate fraud. Just a year of illegal activity brought the group € 10 million.
According to Europol, the suspects have deceived hundreds of victims with phishing attacks and other types of online fraud, such as SIM swapping and BEC attacks (compromising corporate mail). They laundered illicit funds using a wide network of so-called "money mules" and shell companies.
The group carried out its operations from the territory of Tenerife - an island in the archipelago of the Spanish Canary Islands.
The group was liquidated as a result of a law enforcement operation that lasted for one year. During the operation, 16 searches were carried out, 106 arrests were carried out (mainly in Spain and Italy) and electronic devices, 224 credit cards, SIM cards, PoS terminals and funds for the cultivation and distribution of marijuana were seized. Marijuana plantations were also liquidated and 118 bank accounts were arrested.
The structure of the criminal network was a pyramid in which each participant was assigned a role. Computer experts have created phishing domains and carried out cyber fraud, cryptocurrency experts have been involved in money laundering, and hired money mules have been cashing in money.
The arrested members of the group (mostly Italians with ties to the mafia) tricked their victims into transferring large sums of money to bank accounts under their control.
The investigation was carried out by the Spanish National Police with the participation of the Italian National Police, Europol and Eurojust.
__________________
Law enforcement agencies in Italy and Spain have dismantled an organized criminal group associated with the Italian mafia and engaged in online fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking and real estate fraud. Just a year of illegal activity brought the group € 10 million.
According to Europol, the suspects have deceived hundreds of victims with phishing attacks and other types of online fraud, such as SIM swapping and BEC attacks (compromising corporate mail). They laundered illicit funds using a wide network of so-called "money mules" and shell companies.
The group carried out its operations from the territory of Tenerife - an island in the archipelago of the Spanish Canary Islands.
The group was liquidated as a result of a law enforcement operation that lasted for one year. During the operation, 16 searches were carried out, 106 arrests were carried out (mainly in Spain and Italy) and electronic devices, 224 credit cards, SIM cards, PoS terminals and funds for the cultivation and distribution of marijuana were seized. Marijuana plantations were also liquidated and 118 bank accounts were arrested.
The structure of the criminal network was a pyramid in which each participant was assigned a role. Computer experts have created phishing domains and carried out cyber fraud, cryptocurrency experts have been involved in money laundering, and hired money mules have been cashing in money.
The arrested members of the group (mostly Italians with ties to the mafia) tricked their victims into transferring large sums of money to bank accounts under their control.
The investigation was carried out by the Spanish National Police with the participation of the Italian National Police, Europol and Eurojust.
__________________