European Authorities Dismantle Cybercrime-as-a-Service Network, Seize 1,200 SIM Boxes

European law enforcement agencies have disrupted a sophisticated cybercrime operation based in Latvia, arresting seven individuals and confiscating 1,200 SIM-box devices along with 40,000 active SIM cards. The network, which operated as a cybercrime-as-a-service platform, facilitated large-scale investment scams and other fraudulent activities across multiple countries.

Authorities estimate the group's activities resulted in over 1,700 fraud cases in Austria and 1,500 in Latvia, with combined losses exceeding several million euros. The operation, codenamed SIMCARTEL, involved collaboration between Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Europol, and Eurojust.

Europol revealed the network's staggering scale: more than 49 million online accounts were created through the illegal service, with damages to victims amounting to millions of euros. The dismantled infrastructure allowed global perpetrators to bypass telecommunications security measures through SIM box technology.