Police seized Crimemarket, the largest German-speaking cybercrime marketplace

German police seized the largest German-speaking cybercrime marketplace Crimemarket and arrested one of its operators.

The Düsseldorf Police announced that a large-scale international law enforcement operation led to the seizure of the largest German-speaking cybercrime marketplace.

“Under the direction of the North Rhine-Westphalia Cybercrime Central and Contact Office (ZAC NRW), an investigative commission at the Düsseldorf Police Headquarters has been collecting evidence for years about crimes relating to the criminal platform “Crimemarket”.” reads the press release published by the German police. “Based on the usual structure of legal digital marketplaces, narcotics, criminal services, but also detailed instructions on serious crimes were sold in various categories. In addition to the operators, the investigations are directed against both the providers operating through this marketplace and against users.”

The investigation lasted several years during which the police performed numerous searches. The authorities arrested six individuals, including an alleged operator of the marketplace. The police seized numerous pieces of electronic equipment, including cell phones, IT devices and data carriers. In 21 cases, officers in North Rhine-Westphalia seized narcotics, including 1 kilogram of marijuana and various ecstasy tablets. The authorities also seized almost 600,000 euros in cash and movable assets.

Crimemarket was a prominent platform for trading illegal drugs, narcotics, and cybercrime services. Operators were also offering tutorials for several criminal activities.

During the seizure, the marketplace had more than 180,000 registered users. The platform was accessible through both the “Darknet” and the “Clearnet.

“On Thursday, February 29, 2024, a total of 102 search warrants were executed nationwide at the same time in the evening. The local focus of the measures was primarily in North Rhine-Westphalia with 36 search objects. A total of three people were arrested here, including the 23-year-old main suspect at his home address in the Rhine district of Neuss (Korschenbroich).” reads the press release published by the Düsseldorf Police. “A total of three more people were arrested in police measures in other federal states, which were initiated by the police there.”

The investigation is still ongoing, the police plan to identify and target the users of the platform. 

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Crimemarket)