Online investment swindle defrauding victims for around EUR 30 million stopped

Crime: An OCG defrauded thousands of victims all over Europe for an estimated amount of EUR 30 million, through four different online investment scams.

Action: A joint action day took place in May 2021. The operation was rolled out on the ground in seven countries, with German investigators and officers deployed in Bulgaria, and a multitude of searches taking place in Bulgaria, Israel, Sweden, Poland and North Macedonia.

Result: Following EAWs, six suspects were arrested during the action day for organising a fake trading scheme in high-risk options and cryptocurrencies, using manipulated software to project victims’ alleged capital gains. Properties, luxury cars and bank accounts were seized, worth at least several million euros.

Eurojust's role: Eurojust set up a coordination centre to support the action day, and assisted with the execution of EIO, EAWs, requests for mutual legal assistance and the freezing of certificates for assets and bank accounts.