Europol targets e-commerce fraud

Europol has announced the arrest of 95 professional fraudsters and members of internet-based criminal networks suspected of online fraud activities as part of its 2018 e-Commerce Action. The suspects arrested during the operation are thought to be responsible for more than 20,000 fraudulent transactions with compromised credit cards, exceeding an estimated EUR 8 million in value. The 2018 e-Commerce Action was a joint law enforcement operation coordinated by the European Cybercrime Center from Europol’s headquarters. It sought to combat card-not-present fraud through coordinated law enforcement action and an awareness-raising campaign. Europol received direct assistance from merchants, logistic companies, banks and payment card schemes during the action. They also supported national authorities by providing analytical services.

Europol has also announced that this action marks the start of several investigations and that more arrests are expected in the coming months.