Today's cybersecurity headlines are brought to you by ThreatPerspective

Operation Endgame: Global Law Enforcement Crackdown on Cybercrime Operations

Operation Endgame: Global Law Enforcement Crackdown on Cybercrime Operations

Operation Disruptor is a cybersecurity operation led by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in collaboration with the FBI's Cybercrime Division and other law enforcement agencies. The operation's goal is to disrupt and dismantle organized cybercrime groups, particularly those involved in ransomware attacks.In 2022, the DOJ announced Operation Disruptor, which targeted several cybercrime groups responsible for distributing ransomware. The operation aimed to disrupt their ability to operate and steal from victims.Some of the key aspects of Operation Disruptor include:1. Targeting specific cybercrime groups: The operation focused on targeting specific groups that were known to be involved in ransomware attacks.2. Utilizing digital tools: Law enforcement agencies used advanced digital tools, such as malware analysis software and network traffic analysis tools, to track down the perpetrators.3. International cooperation: The operation involved international cooperation between law enforcement agencies from different countries.4. Disrupting operations: The goal of the operation was to disrupt the operations of these cybercrime groups, making it difficult for them to operate and steal from victims.Operation Disruptor is an example of how law enforcement agencies are working together to combat organized cybercrime and protect individuals and businesses from ransomware attacks.


In a significant development in the ongoing fight against cybercrime, global law enforcement agencies have launched a coordinated operation to disrupt and dismantle several major malware operations. The operation, dubbed "Operation Endgame," marks one of the largest and most comprehensive efforts by international authorities to tackle the growing threat of cybercrime.

The operation, which began in May 2024, involved a multi-agency effort by Europol, national law enforcement agencies, and other organizations from around the world. The goal of the operation was to identify and disrupt the networks and operations of several major malware groups, including Smokeloader, SystemBC, Pikabot, IcedID, Bumblebee, LockBit, Redline, and Meta infostealers.

According to Europol, the operation involved extensive surveillance and intelligence gathering, as well as coordinated raids and arrests. The agency reported that several individuals were arrested in connection with the operation, and that many more were identified as suspects or persons of interest.

One of the key targets of the operation was Superstar, an individual who operated a botnet known as Smokeloader. Superstar was accused of charging users for access to their malware-ridden devices, and was believed to have earned significant profits from the operation. Investigators found that Superstar had stored customer data in a database, which included information such as Telegram IDs, dates of purchases, and install counts.

The operation also revealed that many of Smokeloader's customers had been using the malware for other malicious activities, including keylogging, webcam access, ransomware deployment, and cryptomining. Investigators reported that several individuals who had purchased Smokeloader were arrested or cooperated with authorities, revealing additional details about the malware operations.

In addition to disrupting the networks of individual malware groups, Operation Endgame also targeted the customers of these groups. Europol reported that global law enforcement efforts aimed to prosecute not just the largest and most prominent players in cybercrime, but also those who had purchased or used these malicious products.

The operation marked one of several major international coordinated actions against cybercrime that took place across 2024. Other notable operations included Operation Cronos, which disrupted LockBit ransomware operations, and Operation Magnus, which brought down the Redline and Meta infostealers.

In a statement released today, Europol reported that Operation Endgame had identified three individuals who would face arrest in connection with the operation. The agency also confirmed that several cooperators had come forward, providing valuable information about Smokeloader's operations and other malware groups.

"Operation Endgame is just one of several major international coordinated actions against cybercrime that have taken place across 2024," Europol stated. "We are committed to disrupting the networks and operations of these malicious groups, and working with our partners to bring those responsible to justice."

The operation has sent a clear message to cybercrime gangs and other individuals who engage in illicit activities online: global law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these operations, and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

In the months since the big Operation Endgame busts of May 2024, police said they were able to link various suspects' handles to their real identities following the seizure of a database. That database contained the details of Smokeloader customers, a backdoor-cum-malware dropper, operated by Superstar, who charged users for access based on the number of installs on victim machines.

Investigators were aware that Smokeloader was used by customers for various follow-on crimes, such as keylogging, webcam access, ransomware deployment, cryptomining and more. Officials said today that the malware's customers faced various consequences ranging from "knock and talks," full house searches, all the way to arrests.

In addition to aiding police officers with their digital forensics work, Europol said several cooperators also revealed that they would buy access to Smokeloader from Superstar and resell it at a markup, adding what it called "an additional layer of interest to the investigation."

Some of the suspects had assumed they were no longer on law enforcement's radar, only to come to the harsh realization that they were still being targeted. Operation Endgame does not end today

Remote Access Trojan






Broader topics




Security














TIP US OFF
Send us news








Other stories you might like






China’s FamousSparrow flies back into action, breaches US org after years off the radar
Crew also cooked up two fresh SparrowDoor backdoor variants, says ESET

Networks27 Mar 2025 | 2






Ransomware crews add 'EDR killers' to their arsenal – and some aren't even malware

interview Crims are disabling security tools early in attacks, Talos says

Disaster Recovery Week31 Mar 2025 | 1






Scattered Spider stops the Rickrolls, starts the RAT race
Despite arrests, eight-legged menace targeted more victims this year

Research8 Apr 2025 | 5






Data deluge pushes financial services deeper into AI
Harnessing AI to optimize applications and services is crucial but building the infrastructure is equally important
Sponsored Feature















Alan Turing Institute: UK can't handle a fight against AI-enabled crims
Law enforcement facing huge gap in 'AI adoption'

AI + ML4 Apr 2025 | 15






Apple settles unfair labor charges brought by fired engineering manager
Whistleblower Ashley Gjøvik hails iWatershed iMoment for iStaff iRights

CxO10 Apr 2025 | 2






Suspected Chinese spies right now hijacking buggy Ivanti gear – for third time in 3 years
Simple denial-of-service blunder turned out to be remote unauth code exec disaster

Cyber-crime3 Apr 2025 | 3






AI entrepreneur sent avatar to argue in court – and the judge shut it down fast

Interview We hear from court-scolded Jerome Dewald, who insists lawyer-bots have a future

AI + ML9 Apr 2025 | 24








Genetic data repo OpenSNP to self-destruct before authoritarians weaponize it
Blame the 23andMe implosion, rise in far-right govt

Science1 Apr 2025 | 21






Pharmacist accused of using webcams to spy on women in intimate moments at work, home
Lawsuit claims sick cyber-voyeurism went undetected for years, using hundreds of PCs, due to lax infosec

Cyber-crime9 Apr 2025 | 19







UK convicts five romance fraudsters who stole millions from duped singles
Prosecutors said individuals were scammed repeatedly until they had nothing left

Personal Tech4 Apr 2025 | 20






Writing for humans? Perhaps in future we'll write specifically for AI – and be paid for it

Interview 'There needs to be a better economic as well as copyright framework', Thomson Reuters CPO tells us

AI + ML1 Apr 2025 | 21






The Register Biting the hand that feeds IT.






About Us

Contact us
Advertise with us
Who we are.



Our Websites

The Next Platform
DevClass
Blocks and Files.



Your Privacy

Cookies Policy
Privacy Policy
Ts & Cs.

Do not sell my personal information.









Related Information: