Europol and international partners dismantled AudiA6, an alleged cryptocurrency-laundering service suspected of moving more than €336 million between 2022 and 2025. Two suspected administrators of Ukrainian and Russian nationality were arrested in Georgia, and investigators seized 30+ servers, froze €692,000 in crypto and confiscated vehicles and properties. Authorities also disabled 25 domains and blocked Telegram accounts linked to the network. The service is believed to have been a major cash-out hub for ransomware and other cybercriminals.
Europol and Partners Dismantle AudiA6, Alleged €336M Crypto-Laundering Hub
FILE PHOTO: A picture shows an illuminated keyboard. (is associated with: «Europol: Global investigators dismantle cryptocurrency crime ring») Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Europol in The Hague announced on Thursday that international law enforcement agencies have dismantled AudiA6, one of the most widely used services for laundering cryptocurrencies. The platform is suspected of moving more than €336 million (about $389 million) between 2022 and 2025.
Coordinated Arrests and Seizures
Authorities arrested two alleged platform administrators of Ukrainian and Russian nationality in Georgia as part of a coordinated operation. Investigators searched three properties, took down 25 domains and seized more than 30 servers linked to the service.
Assets Frozen and Recovered
Law enforcement officials confiscated 80 vehicles and several real estate holdings in Georgia. Europol reported that cryptocurrency wallets worth €692,000 were frozen and more than €86,000 in crypto assets were seized. Telegram accounts used by the network were also blocked during the operation.
FILE PHOTO: Herbert Reul, interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia. (is associated with: «Europol: Global investigators dismantle cryptocurrency crime ring») Christoph Reichwein/dpa
Scope and Significance
Investigators say AudiA6 acted as a central cash-out hub for ransomware groups and other cybercriminals, allowing stolen digital assets to be converted and moved with little trace. A related arrest by Polish police on September 15 of the previous year produced leads that helped identify additional suspects.
The most recent operation involved teams from the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, alongside Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office and the North Rhine-Westphalia State Criminal Police Office. North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul described the action as having "landed a big fish."
Legal Note: The individuals arrested are suspects; investigations are ongoing and charges may follow.
Europol and partner agencies said the disruption of AudiA6 is expected to hinder the ability of cybercriminals to cash out stolen cryptocurrencies, though investigators caution that follow-up work will be required to trace additional funds and dismantle remaining infrastructure.
Help us improve.
