Onderzoek naar wapenhandel leidt naar vermeende cybercrimineel | Nieuwsbericht | Openbaar Ministerie
Investigation into arms trade leads to suspected cybercriminal
News item | 7/24/2023 | 14:02
Analysis of residual information from an investigation into arms trade led to the arrest of a 21-year-old man from Amsterdam at the beginning of this month. The Public Prosecution Service suspects the man of, among other things, years of fraud, theft, computer trespass and money laundering. According to the Public Prosecution Service, he probably earned more than €400,000 from cybercrime and online fraud.
The Amsterdam police tracked down the man in September 2022 after information from an investigation by the National Unit into arms trade. After analyzing the information, suspicions arose of large-scale and international fraud and money laundering against the 21-year-old from Amsterdam.
On seized mobile phones and data carriers, the police found dozens of fake websites, also known as phishing panels, of Dutch and foreign banks such as Spain, Ireland and Germany. On these types of websites, the administrators of those sites can capture login details and use them to log in to the victims' banking environment.
The police also found lists or 'leads' with at least 1.5 million telephone numbers or email addresses of potential victims. The suspect allegedly used this information to send SMS bombs and phishing emails, among other things. It is suspected that he has defrauded many victims at home and abroad and has taken money from them.
The man appears to have several bank account numbers where amounts of thousands of euros were credited and debited, presumably from victims of phishing. Requisitioned transaction records show that no funds were received in his bank accounts from any form of legitimate income such as salary, benefits or allowances. A lot of money was received from foreign bank accounts in his name, but also from bank accounts in the name of suspected money mules.
The investigation into the man's suspected criminal activities continues. The council chamber of the Amsterdam court last week extended the pre-trial detention of the man by 90 days. Until last Friday, the suspect was in complete restraints.
News item | 7/24/2023 | 14:02
Analysis of residual information from an investigation into arms trade led to the arrest of a 21-year-old man from Amsterdam at the beginning of this month. The Public Prosecution Service suspects the man of, among other things, years of fraud, theft, computer trespass and money laundering. According to the Public Prosecution Service, he probably earned more than €400,000 from cybercrime and online fraud.
The Amsterdam police tracked down the man in September 2022 after information from an investigation by the National Unit into arms trade. After analyzing the information, suspicions arose of large-scale and international fraud and money laundering against the 21-year-old from Amsterdam.
On seized mobile phones and data carriers, the police found dozens of fake websites, also known as phishing panels, of Dutch and foreign banks such as Spain, Ireland and Germany. On these types of websites, the administrators of those sites can capture login details and use them to log in to the victims' banking environment.
The police also found lists or 'leads' with at least 1.5 million telephone numbers or email addresses of potential victims. The suspect allegedly used this information to send SMS bombs and phishing emails, among other things. It is suspected that he has defrauded many victims at home and abroad and has taken money from them.
The man appears to have several bank account numbers where amounts of thousands of euros were credited and debited, presumably from victims of phishing. Requisitioned transaction records show that no funds were received in his bank accounts from any form of legitimate income such as salary, benefits or allowances. A lot of money was received from foreign bank accounts in his name, but also from bank accounts in the name of suspected money mules.
The investigation into the man's suspected criminal activities continues. The council chamber of the Amsterdam court last week extended the pre-trial detention of the man by 90 days. Until last Friday, the suspect was in complete restraints.
