The Hague, September 23, 2025: Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, has spearheaded an extensive multinational law enforcement operation resulting in the arrest of five suspects involved in a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme that defrauded victims in 23 countries, amounting to losses upwards of €100 million.
The complex criminal network operated a series of fake online investment platforms promising high returns from cryptocurrency ventures. Over 100 victims, spanning multiple continents, were deceived into investing millions of euros through these fraudulent platforms. The accused allegedly used these platforms to systematically extract funds under false pretenses, laundering the proceeds through various financial channels to obscure their origin.
This successful crackdown was the culmination of a multi-year investigation involving close collaboration among the judicial and law enforcement authorities of Germany, Cyprus, Albania, the United Kingdom, Israel, and other affected nations. Eurojust, working in tandem with Europol, coordinated joint actions ensuring synchronized arrests, asset seizures, and forensic examination across borders.
“This operation highlights the crucial role Eurojust plays in combating transnational organized crime, here specifically targeting a highly sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud that deceived numerous investors across Europe and beyond,” stated a Eurojust spokesperson. “By enabling seamless cooperation among member states, we dismantled the criminal infrastructure that had exploited emerging digital financial technologies.”
The arrested individuals face charges including fraud, money laundering, and participation in an organized crime group. Authorities have frozen multiple bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets linked to the operation, disrupting the suspects’ financial network.
This case is the latest in a series of coordinated actions by European agencies addressing the rise of criminal activity leveraging cryptocurrencies. Previous Eurojust-supported investigations have similarly dismantled fraudulent investment schemes operating from hubs in Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Serbia, underscoring the persistent threat posed by such crimes.
National authorities continue to urge vigilance and caution from investors, emphasizing thorough due diligence and skepticism toward investment offers promising unrealistic returns in the crypto space.
The investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors aiming to identify additional suspects and recover further illicit assets.
For further information, Eurojust’s official statements and press releases provide detailed updates about the progress and outcomes of this significant operation.