Summary
- Europol said it dismantled a cybercrime group in Latvia and seized virtual assets worth $330,000.
- It said the operation was part of a trend to strengthen crackdowns on digital financial crimes spreading across Europe.
- Experts said the move signals the start of intensified crackdowns on virtual asset-based crimes in Europe.
The European Union (EU) law enforcement agency Europol exposed a cybercrime group in Latvia and seized virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) worth $330,000.
The operation was carried out as part of a recent trend across Europe to strengthen crackdowns on digital financial crimes.
According to crypto-focused media Decrypt on the 21st (local time), Europol, in cooperation with Latvian police, arrested multiple suspects and seized illegal assets including virtual assets. However, it did not disclose which types of virtual assets were included.
Europol said the operation "dismantled an organized cyber-fraud network in Latvia" and "the organization was involved in multinational phishing and illegal transfers."
Experts view the measure as a signal that crackdowns on virtual asset-based money laundering and hacking crimes in Europe will intensify.
JH Kim
reporter1@bloomingbit.ioHi, I'm a Bloomingbit reporter, bringing you the latest cryptocurrency news.
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