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Spotlight Most Threatening Criminal Networks in the EU: Criminal Opportunism and Resilience

14 September 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 2/2026

On 26 June 2026, Europol published its second in-depth assessment of the EU’s most threatening criminal networks (MTCNs). A key new insight of the assessment is that MTCNs should not be understood as isolated entities, but as part of a fluid and interconnected criminal ecosystem. Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Organised Crime Law Enforcement Cooperation Police Cooperation

Europol Podcast: New Season on Cybercrime

17 August 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 2/2026

In July 2026, Europol released Season 4 of The Europol Podcast, offering insights from experts of the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) into some of the most pressing cybercrime threats currently facing the EU. The episodes build on expert sessions examining key findings of Europol’s … Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime

Europol and Interpol Agree on Key Joint Operational Priorities

10 August 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2026

The cooperation between Europol and INTERPOL is based on an existing arrangement, signed in 2001, which provides the framework for the two organisations to agree on joint operational priorities and strengthen their cooperation in areas of common interest. Within this framework, Europol and INTERPOL … Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Organised Crime Law Enforcement Cooperation

Takedown of Major Cryptocurrency Laundering Service “AudiA6”

1 July 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2026

In June 2026, Europol reported that a major cryptocurrency laundering service known as "AudiA6" was dismantled in an international law enforcement operation. The service was used by ransomware groups and cybercriminal networks to launder stolen digital assets while obscuring financial trails. It is suspected of having laundered over €336 million from 2022 to 2025. Read more

EU Europol Eurojust Cybercrime Money Laundering Organised Crime Law Enforcement Cooperation Police Cooperation

Spotlight IOCTA 2026

15 June 2026 (updated 2 months, 2 weeks ago)

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2026

On 28 April 2026, Europol published the 11th edition of its 2026 Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA). Under the title “The evolving threat landscape: how encryption, proxies and artificial intelligence are expanding cybercrime”, the assessment provides a detailed analysis of significant developments, changes, and emerging threats in cybercrime in 2025. Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Organised Crime

Operation Alice Exposes Fraudulent CSAM Platform

24 April 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2026

On 9 March 2026, a global operation led by German law enforcement authorities and supported by Europol targeted a major dark web network known as "Alice with Violence CP". Taking place from 9 to 19 March across 23 countries, the operation initially focused on the … Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Law Enforcement Cooperation

Europol Report Outlines Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography for Financial Institutions

8 April 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2026

On 21 January 2026, Europol and its partners published a joint report entitled "Prioritising Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Activities in Financial Services". The report offers financial institutions a structured, risk-based approach to preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). This involves using encryption methods that … Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Protection of Financial Interests Data Protection

Cryptocurrency Fraud Infrastructure Dismantled

12 January 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 4/2025

A large-scale international law enforcement operation, executed in two coordinated phases in October and November 2025, has dismantled the core infrastructure of a cryptocurrency fraud and money-laundering network that processed more than €700 million in illicit funds. The operation was supported and coordinated at … Read more

EU Europol Eurojust Cybercrime Money Laundering Law Enforcement Cooperation

Current Infringement Proceedings in Justice and Home Affairs: October – December 2025

17 December 2025 (updated 9 months, 2 weeks ago)

Thomas Wahl in Issue 3/2025

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. The following overview reports on selected infringement proceedings in the area of justice and home affairs that were opened or continued in October, November and December 2025. Read more

EU Legislation Cybercrime Protection of Financial Interests European Arrest Warrant Police Cooperation Procedural Safeguards

Council Paves Way to Sign UN Convention against Cybercrime

30 October 2025

Thomas Wahl in Issue 3/2025

On 13 October 2025, the JHA Council adopted a decision authorising the European Commission and EU Member States to sign the United Nations Convention against cybercrime. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly on 24 December 2024 and opened for signature on 25 … Read more

EU Cybercrime

Spotlight Europol Concept Paper "Policing in an Online World"

30 September 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 2/2025

On 18 July 2025, Europol’s Innovation Lab published a concept paper on how the police can adapt to citizens' increasingly digital lives. It gives guidance on how police can be present wherever citizens are online, delivering safety and protection much like in the physical world. Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Law Enforcement Cooperation Police Cooperation

Spotlight IOCTA 2025

18 August 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 2/2025

Under the title "Steal, deal, and repeat: How cybercriminals trade and exploit your data", the 2025 IOCTA by Europol provides a detailed analysis of the significant developments, changes, and emerging threats in cybercrime in 2024. Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime

Fifth JITs Evaluation Report

6 August 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 2/2025

In early July 2025, the Secretariat of the Network of National Experts on Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) published its Fifth JITs Evaluation Report, providing practical findings, lessons learned, and best practices, with a particular focus on combating cybercrime. The report draws on 67 evaluations … Read more

EU Eurojust Cybercrime Law Enforcement Cooperation

Operation ENDGAME Targets Initial Access Malware

16 June 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 2/2025

At the end of May 2025, Operation ENDGAME, ongoing since 2024, led to the takedown of Initial Access Malware. This malware was being used for initial infection, helping cybercriminals to enter victims’ systems unnoticed and download more malware, such as ransomware, onto their devices. … Read more

EU Europol Eurojust Cybercrime Judicial Cooperation Law Enforcement Cooperation

Pedophile Platform “Kidflix” Shut Down

15 May 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2025

In April 2025, thanks to the Europol-supported Operation "Stream", one of the world's largest paedophile platforms was shut down. 1400 suspects were able to be identified worldwide. Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Organised Crime Law Enforcement Cooperation Police Cooperation

Europol Tackles Violence-as-a-Service

12 May 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2025

In response to the growing trend of Violence-as-a-Service (VaaS) and the recruitment of young people into serious organised crime, Europol launched a new Operational Taskforce named GRIMM at the end of April 2025. VaaS often involves young perpetrators who carry out threats, assaults, or killings … Read more

EU Europol Cybercrime Organised Crime Law Enforcement Cooperation