Eurojust operation: international crime ring specialized in money laundering dismantled; among victims companies from Romania

An international crime ring specialized in cyber fraud and money laundering has been dismantled by Moldovan authorities, in collaboration with law-enforcement agencies of Romania and other European countries. The operation, named Crypto Wave, led to the discovery of a damage of about 2,000,000 euros, affecting over 30 victims, including companies from Romania.

According to the National Investigation Inspectorate (INI), the criminal network used sophisticated ways of cyber fraud, including phishing, "man in the middle" attacks, and scams through online shopping platforms, in order to extract significant amounts of money from accounts of individuals and companies in Romania, the United Kingdom and more European Union states.

The operation was coordinated by the European agency Eurojust and conducted in collaboration with prosecutors from DIICOT (Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism) Galati and those from PCCOCS (Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Causes).

In Chisinau, over 12 searches were conducted, with support from the masked officers of the Fulger special police brigade, at the addresses of six suspects. Relevant evidence was collected from them and the individuals are to be questioned.

The suspects from Moldova had the final role in the criminal scheme, handling the money laundering. They recruited individuals from outside the network, convincing them to open bank accounts and set financial applications on phones provided by the group. The devices and bank cards were then taken over by the suspects and the funds got were converted into cryptocurrencies.

The defrauded amounts initially reached the accounts of shell companies established in Spain, Italy and Germany, using false documents, in order to mask the illegal origin of the money.

The investigation continues in several European countries.