Category: Intelligence

Source: Europol

Headline: Finnish most wanted fugitive arrested in Paris thanks to a tip via EU Most Wanted website

One of Finland’s most wanted fugitives, wanted for fraud and forgery, was arrested in Paris on 2 February. The arrest was made possible thanks to a tip that came via the EU Most Wanted website (www.eumostwanted.eu). The suspected criminal featured on one of the postcards sent last summer to citizens throughout Europe. After receiving the useful tip, the Finnish Police (FAST Finland) cooperated with the French National Police (FAST France) who were able to arrest him last week.

This arrest is yet another example of the vital help the general public can offer law enforcement in catching these fugitives. Since the launch of the EU Most Wanted website just over two years ago, 44 featured fugitives have been captured. At least 16 of them thanks to a tip received from the general public.

Source: Europol

Headline: No More Ransom update: Belgian Federal Police releases free decryption keys for the Cryakl ransomware

The Belgian Federal Police is releasing free decryption keys for the Cryakl ransomware today, after working in close cooperation with Kaspersky Lab. The keys were obtained during an ongoing investigation; by sharing the keys with No More Ransom the Belgian Federal Police becomes a new associated partner of the project – the second law enforcement agency after the Dutch National Police.

In the last few years ransomware has eclipsed most other cyber threats, with global campaigns indiscriminately affecting organisations across multiple industries in both the public and private sector, as well as consumers. One of the most effective ways to fight ransomware is to prevent it. This is exactly why No More Ransom was launched more than a year ago.

Today sees yet another successful example of how cooperation between law enforcement and internet security companies can lead to great results. When the Belgian Federal Computer Crime Unit (FCCU) discovered that Belgian citizens had been victims of the Cryakl ransomware, they were able to locate a command and control centre in one of Belgium’s neighbouring countries. Led by the federal prosecutor’s office, the Belgian authorities seized this and other servers while forensic analysis worked to retrieve the decryption keys. Kaspersky Lab provided technical expertise to the Belgian federal prosecutor and has now added these keys to the No More Ransom portal on behalf of the Belgian federal police. This will allow victims to regain access to their encrypted files without having to pay to the criminals.

The Belgian authorities are currently continuing the investigation. However, with cybersecurity and the best interests of the Cryakl ransomware victims at heart, the seized decryption keys have already been uploaded onto the No More Ransom portal.

52 decryption tools available

Since the launch of the No More Ransom portal in July 2016 almost 1.6 million people from more than 180 countries have accessed the website, available in 29 languages with Estonian as the most recent addition.

There are now 52 free decryption tools on www.nomoreransom.org, which can be used to decrypt 84 ransomware families. CryptXXX, CrySIS and Dharma are the most detected infections. More than 35 000 people have managed to retrieve their files for free, which has prevented criminals from profiting from more than EUR 10 million.

The number of partners working together on No More Ransom has risen to more than 120, including more than 75 internet security companies and other private partners. The Cypriot and Estonian police are the most recent law enforcements agencies to join. KPN, Telenor and The College of Professionals in Information and Computing (CPIC) have joined as new private sector partners.

Find more information and prevention tips on www.nomoreransom.org.

Source: Europol

Headline: High-profile investigation: fugitive member of migrant smuggling network wanted in Hungary arrested by Guardia Civil in Tenerife

The Migrant Smuggling Unit of the Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation is leading a high-profile investigation into an organised crime group (OCG) suspected of being involved in various smuggling incidents for financial gain during the 2015-2016 migration crisis. The OCG facilitated the highly-organised and structured illicit transportation of irregular migrants along the Western Balkan corridor. The group also ran the biggest illegal safe house in Budapest, which was dismantled in 2017 in a previous operation. During the ongoing investigation it was established that one Hungarian member of the migrant smuggling ring fled Hungary to an unknown location, fearing criminal charges. A European Arrest Warrant was issued as the fugitive’s whereabouts was unknown.

By exchanging information with the support of Europol, Spanish law enforcement informed Hungarian authorities of the fugitive’s possible location. The continuing cooperation between Hungary and Spain led to locating the fugitive in the Canary Islands on 23 January 2018, after a car suspected to be that of the fugitive’s was found parked on the street. The fugitive was eventually arrested in Tenerife by the Spanish Guardia Civil.

Enhanced information exchange and cooperation between Hungary and Spain was facilitated by Europol and also involved Austrian, German, Italian and Polish law enforcement authorities. In 2017 the European Migrant Smuggling Centre supported a total of 93 high-profile investigations.

Source: Europol

Headline: Safer Internet Day

The Safer Internet Day (SID) is a global movement celebrated in over 130 countries each year. Its aim is to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology, especially among children and young people, and to call each stakeholder to play their part in creating a better internet for all. Each year on this day, millions of people unite to inspire positive change, and Europol is proud to join the cause. In 2018, we are supporting its theme: “Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you” by sharing our tips and advice on online safety, a reminder for all, but especially for the youngest among us, on responsible and careful online behaviour.

In order to achieve a safer Europe for the benefit of all the EU citizens, Europol is strongly committed fighting against cybercrime: the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), established in 2013, works to prevent and detect all forms of cybercrime in the EU and drives intelligence-led, coordinated actions against key cybercrime threats through cross-border investigations and operations by Europol’s partners.

As a form of cybercrime, child sexual exploitation is one of Europol’s priority crime areas under the 2018-2021 EU Policy Cycle. In this context, EC3 provides assistance and expertise in combatting the distribution of child abuse material through online environments, and tackles the criminal online behaviour against children, such as grooming, self-generated indecent material, sexual extortion and live distant child abuse.

At the same time, several prevention and awareness-raising campaigns, guides, and materials have been set up over the last years to empower EU citizens to protect themselves online. The Say No! and Deterring youngsters from cybercrime campaigns are especially relevant, as they target young people, parents and carers, teachers and educators.

Europol Executive Director Rob Wainwright stated: “Education, both at home and at school, has traditionally placed emphasis on teaching youngsters about respect, both for those around them and for themselves. Our societies have developed based on this very principle and so have we as citizens. If this has worked in the offline world, then why not pursue the same goal online? I encourage everyone to spend a moment thinking about their online behaviour and how, simply by being respectful to others online, they can help make the internet a better and safer place for all.”

Everyone has a responsibility to make a positive difference online. Follow our advice to stay safe in the digital age: