German and French authorities, coordinated by Eurojust, dismantled a criminal group on March 10, 2026, that defrauded victims of approximately €1 million through a sophisticated online banking scam.

Key Details of the Operation

• The Arrests: Three suspects were apprehended in a joint operation. The alleged mastermind was arrested in France and remains in custody pending a decision on his transfer to Germany.
• The Scheme: The group targeted victims in Germany using phishing emails to steal online banking and mobile phone login credentials. They successfully bypassed two-factor authentication to transfer and withdraw funds from victims’ accounts.
• Money Laundering: Stolen funds were moved to fraudulent cryptocurrency accounts to hide their origin. During raids in both countries, police seized assets including jewelry and various cryptocurrencies.

Related Recent Actions

This takedown is part of a broader increase in international cooperation against European cybercrime:

• Operation Candy: On March 4, 2026, a separate Europol-led operation resulted in 15 arrests across Spain, Sweden, and Thailand, targeting networks involved in large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering.
• Indictments in Romania: In a separate case involving €1 million in defrauded EU funds, three individuals and five companies were indicted in late 2024 for using shell companies to launder money through accounts in Belgium and Lithuania.