Takedown of Elaborate Online Investment Scam Yields 15 Arrests and Millions in Recovered Funds

A joint operation between authorities in Albania and Germany, supported by Eurojust, has brought down a massive online investment scam that defrauded victims across Europe. The scheme involved two fraudulent electronic platforms, “BrokerZ” and “Globalix”, which promised large returns on non-existent financial products.

Operation Details

• 15 Suspects Arrested: One of the alleged masterminds behind the scam was among those arrested.
• 8 Locations Searched: Law enforcement officers from Albania conducted searches in Tirana, recovering crucial evidence including servers, IT equipment, documents, and other materials related to the case.
• International Cooperation: The operation saw cross-border cooperation between Albanian authorities and German law enforcement agencies. A German prosecutor played a key role in coordinating the efforts.

Authorities Involved

• Albania’s Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime of Tirana
• Unit “C” of the General Directorate of Albanian State Police
• Germany’s Bavarian Central Office for the Prosecution of Cybercrime at the Bamberg General PPO
• Criminal Investigation Departments Bayreuth and Oberfranken

Impact

The takedown of this elaborate online investment scam is a significant victory in the ongoing fight against financial crimes. It serves as a testament to the effectiveness of international cooperation in bringing perpetrators to justice.

This operation highlights Albania’s commitment to tackling financial crimes through international cooperation, demonstrating its dedication to working closely with European partners to combat transnational crime.