Filenews 5 November 2025
A large-scale and international operation against major credit card fraud, coordinated this week by Eurojust, has led to the arrest of 18 suspects. The alleged perpetrators are accused of creating a complex network of fake online subscriptions to dating services, pornographic content and streaming, among others, which were paid for by credit card. Among those arrested are five senior executives from four German payment service providers.
The scam was organized around three networks, which defrauded millions of credit card holders with 19 million accounts in 193 countries. The estimated value of the fraud is at least €300 million. The total value of the fraud attempts against cardholders exceeds €750 million. The arrested are citizens of Germany, the United Kingdom, Latvia, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, the USA and Canada.
Between 2016 and 2021, the suspects were allegedly involved in the theft of credit card data, the creation of fake accounts, the authorization and concealment of payments, as well as the proceeds of criminal activities. The perpetrators kept the monthly payments in their accounts below 50 euros so as not to arouse suspicion among users of high transfer amounts.
The payments had vague descriptions, making them difficult for victims to trace. In addition, transfers were made to websites that were designed so that they would not appear in search engines and would only be accessible via a direct link or URL.
Use of payment infrastructures and corruption of executives
The infrastructure of four payment providers was exploited to manage and launder the illicit proceeds. The five arrested, employees of payment service providers and among them senior executives and compliance officers, allegedly collaborated with the fraud networks to use the financial infrastructure for a fee.
The suspects used a number of companies, mostly registered in Cyprus and the United Kingdom, to conceal their activities and distribute the fake transactions. This also made it very difficult to refund the amounts to cardholders. These companies were acquired through 'Crime-as-a-Service' providers, who provide support to criminal activities for a fee.
Investigations in Luxembourg and the United States
The Luxembourg authorities have launched a judicial investigation into money laundering and misuse of corporate funds, based on detailed financial analyses prepared by the Luxembourg Financial Reporting Unit.
The Luxembourg State Police (Service de police judiciaire, anti-money laundering department) carried out searches at the offices of the Luxembourg companies. Many suspects were interrogated and assets worth several million euros were seized. In addition, requests for Mutual Legal Assistance were submitted in many EU and non-EU countries, with the evidence being part of the Luxembourg investigation.
As the main investigations in Luxembourg concerned German citizens and payment service providers, the Luxembourg authorities handed over the case to the Koblenz Public Prosecutor's Office and the two investigations were merged.
The revelation of this international fraud network by the Luxembourg authorities provided active legal assistance to Germany and made a significant contribution to German criminal proceedings.
At the same time, the German authorities received critical information through Mutual Legal Assistance from a relevant US investigation, led by the Prosecutor's Office for the Southern District of New York. With the assistance of the US, the Koblenz Prosecutor's Office was able to proceed with the investigations, uncover the overall fraud scheme and identify further suspects. Close cooperation with US authorities led to this week's operations.
Eurojust support
Eurojust organised four survey preparation meetings in Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Cyprus, the Netherlands, the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. The Office also facilitated cross-border judicial cooperation with the UK and the US through Eurojust's Prosecutors' Liaisons and with authorities in Canada and Singapore through the Network of Contact Points.
Eurojust provided infrastructure and support for numerous bilateral meetings, and assisted in the execution of 90 European Examination Orders and Mutual Legal Assistance requests in 30 countries.
Europol has provided analytical support to the survey since May 2023. On the day of the investigations, a cryptocurrency expert was sent to Luxembourg, while another expert was involved in the coordination center.
Hundreds of police officers searched over 60 locations, seizing cryptocurrencies, luxury vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, and other means of communication.
Authorities involved in the operations
- Germany: Koblenz Public Prosecutor's Office, Federal Police – Financial Reporting Unit, Federal Financial Services Authority (BaFin)
- Cyprus: Public Prosecutor's Office, Anti-Money Laundering Unit (MOKAS), Cyprus Police
- Italy: State Police, Novara Mobile Team
- Luxembourg: Luxembourg Public Prosecutor's Office, Investigating Judge, Financial Reporting Unit, Judicial Police
- Spain: Public Prosecutor's Offices Audiencia Nacional and Balearic Islands, Central Investigative Court, National Police – Economic Crime Unit (UDEF)
- Netherlands: Public Prosecutor's Office Noord-Holland, National Police Noord-Holland
- Canada: Department of Justice – International Assistance Group, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Toronto Police Service
- Singapore: Singapore Police
- United Kingdom: Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, Eastern Region Special Operations Unit
- United States: Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, U.S. Marshals Central District of California
