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Police strike Avalanche network in cyber operation: Europol

Xinhua, December 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

An international criminal platform known as "Avalanche" has been dismantled by police in a cyber operation, the European Police Office (Europol) said in a press release Thursday.

After more than four years of investigation, German police in cooperation with the United States authorities and Europol, Eurojust cracked down the group on Nov. 30.

The Avalanche network was used as a delivery platform to launch and manage mass global malicious software attacks and money mule recruiting campaigns.

It has caused an estimated 6 million euros (6.3 million U.S. dollars) in damages in cyber attacks on online banking systems in Germany alone.

During the operation, five individuals were arrested, 37 premises were searched, and 39 servers were seized, according to Europol.

Julian King, European Commissioner for security affairs, said: "Avalanche shows that we can only be successful in combating cyber crime when we work closely together, across sectors and across borders."

"Cyber security and law enforcement authorities need to work hand in hand with the private sector to tackle continuously evolving criminal methods," King added. Endit