The investigation, initiated by German authorities in mid-2021, revealed a disturbing reality within the dark web. It was discovered that only one platform operator controlled over 373,000 websites dedicated to the advertising of child sexual abuse material and cybercrime services. These websites offered packages of photos and videos related to abuse, priced between 17 and 215 euros.
However, despite the payments made by customers, the promised material was never delivered. A coordinated international operation, dubbed Alice, took place between 9 and 19 March of this year, involving 23 countries. This included several European nations, such as Slovenia, alongside Australia, the USA, and Canada.
Europol coordinated the operation, initially focusing on the platform operator. Furthermore, investigators identified the identities of 440 individuals who had purchased photos and services from the platform. Due to the sensitive nature of the operation, the specific identities of these 440 customers were not publicly disclosed.
The investigation highlighted the prevalence of illicit websites within the dark web ecosystem.
Topics: #websites #one #dark
German authorities initiated an investigation in mid-2021 that uncovered a troubling situation within the dark web. The probe revealed a single individual operated more than 373,000 fraudulent website