An international network suspected of online investment fraud has been hit in a coordinated operation by Eurojust and Europol, with Albania among the participating countries. Seven people were arrested, 17 premises were searched, and more than 100 servers were seized. The operation was carried out in several countries, including Albania, Kosovo, Germany and Cyprus.
According to the investigation, the network defrauded citizens through fake trading platforms for cryptocurrencies, foreign currencies and stocks. Financial losses are estimated at over 4 million euros.
The investigation began in 2022, after a German couple reported losing their savings by investing on an online platform. From Albania, the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), the National Bureau of Investigation and the State Police took part in the operation, in cooperation with international authorities.
The actions were carried out by the following authorities:
Germany: Office of the Public Prosecutor at the Regional Court of Itzehoe, Department for Combating Cybercrime; Schleswig-Holstein State Criminal Investigation Office
Cyprus: Cyprus Police
Finland: National Bureau of Investigation
Albania: Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK); National Bureau of Investigation; Albanian State Police
Israel: Israel Police – National Cyber Crime Unit Lahav 433 and Legal Assistance Unit – Intelligence Branch
Kosovo: Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo; Kosovo Police – Directorate for Investigation of Economic Crimes and Corruption – Financial Investigations Sector
North Macedonia: Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption; Ministry of Interior, Public Security Bureau – Department for Suppression of Organized and Serious Crime
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