Europol: Largest ever operation against botnets hits dropper malware ecosystem


Between 27 and 29 May 2024 Operation Endgame, coordinated from Europol’s headquarters, targeted droppers including, IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, Bumblebee and Trickbot.

The actions focused on disrupting criminal services through arresting High Value Targets, taking down the criminal infrastructures and freezing illegal proceeds. This approach had a global impact on the dropper ecosystem. The malware, whose infrastructure was taken down during the action days, facilitated attacks with ransomware and other malicious software. Following the action days, eight fugitives linked to these criminal activities, wanted by Germany, will be added to Europe’s Most Wanted list on 30 May 2024. The individuals are wanted for their involvement in serious cybercrime activities. This is the largest ever operation against botnets, which play a major role in the deployment of ransomware.

Read more…
Source: Europol


Sign up for our Newsletter


Related:

  • Police arrest suspect over Microsoft 365 cyber attack

    December 19, 2025

    The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has apprehended a suspected cyber fraudster linked to coordinated attacks on Microsoft 365 email platforms used by corporate organisations. The arrest followed an intelligence-led investigation triggered by credible information from Microsoft Corporation in the United States, conveyed through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The intelligence exposed the ...

  • U.S. DOJ: Tren De Aragua Members and Leaders Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar ATM Jackpotting Scheme

    December 18, 2025

    United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that a federal grand jury in the District of Nebraska has returned two indictments charging 54 individuals for their roles in a large conspiracy to deploy malware and steal millions of dollars from ATMs in the United States, a crime commonly referred to as “ATM jackpotting.” An indictment returned ...

  • U.S. Justice Department Announces Actions to Combat Two Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Criminal Hacking Groups

    December 9, 2025

    The Justice Department announced two indictments in the Central District of California charging Ukrainian national Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, 33, also known as Vika, Tory, and SovaSonya, for her role in conducting cyberattacks and computer intrusions against critical infrastructure and other victims around the world, in support of Russia’s geopolitical interests. Dubranova was extradited to the ...

  • National cybercrime network operating for 14 years dismantled in Indonesia

    December 8, 2025

    Security researchers have uncovered enormous cybercrime infrastructure in Indonesia that’s been operating unabated for more than 14 years. The length of the operation, the domains included, the malware circulated, and the data being sold on the black market, were all so big that the researchers – Malanta.ai – said the campaign resembles a nation-state campaign ...

  • Poland detains three Ukrainians over possession of hacking equipment

    December 8, 2025

    A Polish court has ordered three Ukrainian nationals held on charges of computer fraud and possessing hardware and software designed to commit crimes, including a suspected attempt to damage IT data deemed crucial to national defence. The three men, aged 43, 42 and 39, were detained after a roadside check in Warsaw, Polish state news agency ...

  • Organised crime online: How Europol disrupts cybercrime

    November 27, 2025

    How does Europol target cybercrime networks? Investigate phishing-as-a-service platforms? Or help tackle child sexual exploitation? This publication, presented at the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Ordinary (LIBE), provides a general overview on how Europol disrupts cybercrime, taking the key insights from the Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA) and EU Serious and Organised ...