Europol Celebrates 10 Years of Cybercrime Takedowns: Major Operations Highlighted During Cybercrime Week
J-CAT’s objective is to drive intelligence-led, coordinated action against key cybercrime threats and targets by facilitating the joint identification, prioritisation, preparation, initiation and execution of cross-border investigations and operations by its partners.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Oct. 18, 2024. Europol celebrated a decade of achievements in global cybercrime enforcement this week during its ‘Cybercrime Week,’ marking the 10th anniversary of the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT). The event highlighted J-CAT's major successes in dismantling international cybercriminal operations since its inception in 2014.
The Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT), established in 2014, leads Europol's global efforts against cybercrime. Based at Europol's European Cybercrime Centre, J-CAT unites 24 agencies from 20 countries to share intelligence and coordinate international operations. Its focus includes ransomware, payment fraud, and other cybercrimes. Over the past decade, J-CAT has been instrumental in major cybercriminal takedowns, solidifying its role as a leader in global cybercrime enforcement.
The European Cybercrime Conference, held from October 16 to 17, brought together over 460 participants from 82 countries to discuss the growing threats in cyberspace. A focal point of the conference was J-CAT’s extensive record of success, underscoring its role in major international operations that disrupted cybercrime networks worldwide.
Key operations facilitated by J-CAT include:
- Operation Cronos: Coordinated efforts to dismantle cybercriminal infrastructure, targeting high-profile hackers.
- Operation EndGame: Took down key ransomware networks and cybercrime groups.
- Operation PowerOFF: Targeted large-scale cybercrime, leading to dozens of arrests and significant disruption of illegal operations.
- Operation Fifth Element: A global effort focused on taking down sophisticated hacking syndicates.
- Webstresser.org takedown: Shut down the world’s largest DDoS-for-hire service, which had 136,000 users and facilitated 4 million attacks.
- Disruption of EMOTET malware: Dismantled the world’s most dangerous malware, leading to significant international arrests and system seizures.
- Sodinokibi/REvil ransomware operation: Five affiliates of this notorious ransomware group were arrested, severely weakening its global reach.
- IM-RAT takedown: Dismantled the Imminent Monitor Remote Access Trojan, a tool used across 124 countries by cybercriminals to remotely control victims' computers.
- FluBot spyware shutdown: Disrupted the SMS-based spyware infecting Android phones globally.
- QQAAZZ money laundering case: Involved 20 arrests related to a cybercrime-driven multi-million euro money laundering scheme.
- SIM swapper arrests: Police in Spain, Austria, and Romania apprehended individuals involved in SIM swapping attacks.
In addition to these high-profile operations, J-CAT has been instrumental in conducting roadshows and webinars across Europe and North America, strengthening collaboration between law enforcement and judiciary bodies in tackling cybercrime. As J-CAT celebrates its 10th anniversary, its commitment to enhancing global cybersecurity and tackling evolving threats remains steadfast.
