German authorities shut down relaunched Crimenetwork marketplace, arrest operator

As reported by Bleeping Computer, German authorities have successfully dismantled a relaunched version of the notorious cybercrime marketplace, Crimenetwork, arresting its suspected operator.

The original Crimenetwork, a significant platform for illicit goods and services, was taken down in December 2024. However, a new iteration quickly emerged. German authorities, including the Public Prosecutor's Office in Frankfurt am Main and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), in cooperation with Spanish National Police, apprehended a 35-year-old German man in Mallorca, Spain, under a European arrest warrant. This individual is accused of establishing and managing the new infrastructure for Crimenetwork shortly after the initial shutdown. The relaunched marketplace rapidly attracted 22,000 users and over 100 vendors, generating an estimated €3.6 million.

Police seized approximately €194,000 in illicit assets and valuable user and transaction data. The arrested suspect faces serious charges under German law, with potential prison time.

Source: Bleeping Computer