Europol | The DarkMarket, the world’s largest illegal dark internet market, has been taken down

According to a Europol announcement, DarkMarket, the world’s largest illegal marketplace on the dark web, has been taken down. This was possible after an international operation involving Germany, Australia, Denmark, Moldova,

Ukraine, the United Kingdom (the National Crime Agency) and the USA (DEA, FBI, and IRS). 

The coordinated actions of the police forces of the countries involved led to the closure of this illegal store which, according to Europol, had more than 500,000 users, 2400 sellers and 320,000 transactions. The current value of transactions (in cryptocurrencies) in the Dark Market, according to Europol, exceeded 140 million euros.

The Central Criminal Investigation Department in the German city of Oldenburg arrested an Australian citizen who is the alleged operator of DarkMarket near the German-Danish border over the weekend. 

Also read: Cyberattack on CNA | What the Digital Security Authority says

The investigation, which was led by the cybercrime unit of the Koblenz Public Prosecutor’s Office, allowed officers to locate and close the marketplace, switch off the servers and seize the criminal infrastructure.

According to Europol, the stored data will give investigators new leads to further investigate moderators, sellers and buyers. 

Also read: Digital Security Authority | On high alert to repel Turkish cyber attacks – VIDEO

The store in question was a hub for drug dealing, money laundering, credit card data selling, malware and anonymous SIM cards. DarkMarket is the fourth largest dark web store to be closed by the authorities, after Silk Road, AlphaBay and the Wall Street Market.

Also read: Europol | 1,776 Turkish manufactured weapons seized