Global Cybercrime Crackdown Dismantles Dark Web Network Exploiting Child Abuse Material

An international law enforcement operation has dismantled a vast network of fraudulent websites on the dark web used to exploit individuals seeking child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and perpetrate cybercrime. The operation, led by German authorities with support from Europol, has taken down over 373,000 websites and identified a key suspect.

Operation Alice: A Broad Investigation

The investigation, dubbed “Operation Alice,” began in 2021, initially focusing on a dark web platform known as “Alice with Violence CP.” It quickly expanded to reveal a much larger operation allegedly controlled by a single individual. This individual operated a network of over 373,000 hidden websites designed to mimic marketplaces for illicit material and cybercrime services Europol.

Fraudulent Schemes and Financial Gains

These websites advertised offerings such as child abuse content, stolen credit card data and access to compromised systems. Though, the platforms were scams; customers who paid in cryptocurrency never received the promised goods. Between February 2020 and July 2025, the suspect advertised illicit material across tens of thousands of domains, offering “packages” priced up to €215 (approximately $248) and claiming to provide data volumes ranging from gigabytes to terabytes The Record.

Infrastructure and Suspect Identification

Investigators identified up to 300 servers supporting the network, with over a third located in Germany. The suspect, a 35-year-old Chinese national, generated nearly €345,000 (approximately $400,000) in revenue from approximately 10,000 customers worldwide. German prosecutors have issued an international arrest warrant The Record.

Ongoing Investigations and International Cooperation

Authorities have identified 440 individuals who used the platform, with over 100 remaining under active investigation. Europol chief Catherine De Boll emphasized the importance of international collaboration in combating cybercrime, stating that the operation sends a clear message to criminals that they have nowhere to hide when law enforcement agencies work together Europol.

Recent Developments

As of March 9, 2026, a global operation was launched against the network, resulting in a massive take-down of fraudulent websites advertising CSAM and cybercrime-as-a-service Europol – Facebook, Europol – Instagram.