Eurojust Leads Major Takedown of €100 Million Cryptocurrency Fraud Across 23 Countries
The Hague, September 23, 2025 – In a groundbreaking multinational law enforcement operation coordinated by Eurojust, five suspects have been arrested in connection with a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud that spanned 23 countries and led to losses exceeding €100 million. This marks one of the most significant efforts to tackle cross-border crypto scams in Europe to date.
The initiative was triggered by requests from Spanish and Portuguese judicial authorities, who alerted Eurojust to a complex fraud network targeting cryptocurrency investors. Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, quickly mobilized judicial and law enforcement agencies across the continent to dismantle the operation.
According to Eurojust, the arrested individuals are suspected of orchestrating a large-scale investment scam that leveraged fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes to defraud victims of substantial sums of money. The operation involved extensive coordination with partner countries’ law enforcement agencies, reflecting the transnational nature of the crime. Over 100 victims were reportedly defrauded across 23 European countries, highlighting the widespread impact and sophisticated reach of the criminal network.
Authorities describe the scam as one of Europe’s largest in the cryptocurrency investment sector, emphasizing the need for robust cross-border cooperation to address financial crimes exploiting digital assets. The suspects face charges related to fraud, money laundering, and possibly other offenses connected to the operation.
Filippo Spiezia, a representative from Eurojust, stated that this operation exemplifies the agency’s commitment to facilitating judicial cooperation in combating serious crimes that transcend national borders. “Cryptocurrency fraud cases of this scale underscore the importance of seamless information exchange and coordinated action,” he added.
The operation not only led to arrests but also to the seizure of assets believed to be linked to the fraudulent activities, aiming to recover lost funds for the victims. Investigations are ongoing to map the full extent of the criminal network and identify additional suspects or accomplices.
Experts warn that as cryptocurrencies gain mainstream financial adoption, the risk of sophisticated investment frauds rises accordingly, necessitating continued vigilance and collaboration among European judicial and law enforcement bodies. This case serves as a critical precedent for future actions against digital asset crimes.
Eurojust’s coordination was instrumental in this success, involving teams from across Europe who synchronized efforts to dismantle the syndicate simultaneously. The agency continues to work closely with Europol and other partners under the EMPACT framework (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) to target organized crime groups leveraging the cryptocurrency market.
Authorities urge investors to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of crypto investment opportunities, highlighting the prevalence of fraudulent schemes exploiting the rapid growth of digital currencies.
This operation underscores the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in curbing high-level financial crime and protecting European citizens from emerging threats in the digital economy.