‘Dark web’ fraud sites cracked, 100s of suspects: Europol

A file photo of a room full of computers. (Pexels/Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko)

Warning: Graphic content.

THE HAGUE - Detectives in 23 countries have smashed a fraudulent dark web platform purporting to offer child abuse images, EU police agency Europol said on Friday, with 440 customers in their sights.

“Operation Alice” targeted the operator of the platform, identified only as a 35-year-old man based in China. Europol said he ran more than 373,000 fraudulent websites in total.

The dark web platform “Alice with Violence CP” sold child abuse images and other cybercrime “services” such as credit card data and access to back-end computer systems.

Customers were tricked into providing payment for these “products” but received nothing in return.

Europol estimated the suspect made around 345,000 euros (US$400,000) from around 10,000 people who attempted to buy the illicit material.

Police have so far identified 440 users of the platform and their investigations are ongoing.

Operation Alice, which began in 2021, sends a “clear message,” said Europol director Catherine de Bolle in a statement.

“There is nowhere to hide for criminals when the international law enforcement community works hand in glove. We will find them and hold them accountable,” she said.