German Police Shut Down Crimenetwork Again, Targeting Marketplace Linked to $4.2 Million in Revenue
Updated
Updated · World Economic Forum · May 18
German Police Shut Down Crimenetwork Again, Targeting Marketplace Linked to $4.2 Million in Revenue
3 articles · Updated · World Economic Forum · May 18
German police dismantled the second iteration of Crimenetwork in early May, reviving a crackdown on a criminal marketplace that had already been shut down once in December 2024.
The platform enabled trading in stolen data, drugs and fake documents, with payments made in cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin.
Law enforcement evidence indicates Crimenetwork generated more than $4.2 million in revenue, underscoring the scale of the illicit market.
The takedown appeared in a broader month of cyber threats that also included AI-driven exploit risks, attacks on Ukraine and warnings around major-event cybercrime.
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Crimenetwork’s €3.6 Million Darknet Empire: Second Major Takedown and Administrator Arrest in Mallorca
Overview
In May 2026, authorities dismantled the relaunched Crimenetwork darknet marketplace and arrested its suspected 35-year-old German administrator in Mallorca. This major operation was possible through extensive international cooperation, especially between German and Moldovan cybercrime units. Crimenetwork had re-emerged after a previous takedown, quickly regaining users and facilitating millions of euros in illicit cryptocurrency transactions. The investigation revealed the platform’s resilience and the challenges law enforcement faces in shutting down darknet markets, but also highlighted the growing effectiveness of international collaboration in disrupting these criminal networks.