# Operation RapTor: A Global Crackdown on Dark Web Vendors and Buyers
Operation RapTor, a coordinated international law enforcement action, has resulted in the arrest of 270 dark web vendors and buyers from across 10 countries. This massive operation is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect online users worldwide.
The arrests were made possible through the collaboration of law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, and international organizations such as Europol. The Europol report highlights the agency's crucial role in supporting the action by compiling and analyzing intelligence packages based on data from seized marketplaces. These packages were then shared with national authorities to enable targeted investigations.
"Europol supported the action by compiling and analysing intelligence packages based on data from the three seized marketplaces," reads the report published by Europol. "These packages were then shared with national authorities in the framework of the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce, hosted at Europol’s headquarters, to enable targeted investigations." This operational model demonstrates that the takedown of a criminal platform is not the end of the story – it is the beginning of follow-up investigations aimed at identifying and arresting high-value vendors.
The police identified 270 suspects through intelligence gathered from dark web market takedowns, including Nemesis, Bohemia, Kingdom Markets, and Tor2Door. These suspects made thousands of illicit sales using encryption and cryptocurrency, highlighting the need for continued cooperation and innovation in the fight against cybercrime.
The arrests follow last year's Operation SpecTor, which showed law enforcement's growing success in exposing dark web activities. Most of the arrested individuals are in the U.S., Germany, and the U.K., targeting dark web vendors. Authorities seized over €184M in cash and crypto, 2+ tonnes of drugs, 180+ firearms, 12,500 counterfeit items, and 4+ tonnes of illegal tobacco, striking a major blow to dark web criminal networks.
Investigations are still ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to dismantle the complex networks involved in these illicit activities. "Operation RapTor shows that the dark web is not beyond the reach of law enforcement," said Edvardas Šileris, Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre. "Through close cooperation and intelligence sharing, officers across four continents identified and arrested suspects, sending a clear message to those who think they can hide in the shadows."
"Europol will continue working with our partners to make the internet safer for everyone," added Edvardas Šileris. This determination is crucial in the ongoing fight against cybercrime and dark web activities.
Dark web criminals are adapting to law enforcement pressure, shifting their operations to single-vendor shops. Despite these changes, global law enforcement continues to penetrate all platforms, working to disrupt and dismantle these illicit networks.
The success of Operation RapTor serves as a reminder that the internet is a shared space that requires cooperation and collective action to protect its users. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates on the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and keep the online community safe.