Europol seized 30,506 Internet domain names for IP Infringement

Europol announced another success in the fight against cybercrime, the agency shut down 30,506 Internet domain names for distributing counterfeit and pirated items.

Europol announced the shutdown of 30,506 Internet domain names for distributing counterfeit and pirated items as part of the ‘In Our Sites’ (IOS) operation launched in 2014. The success is the result of a joint global operation between law enforcement authorities from 18 different EU member states, the US National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), and with the help of the INTERPOL, Eurojust. some private security firms.

“Law enforcement authorities from 18 EU Member States¹ and third parties in a joint investigation with Europol and the US National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre ², facilitated by Eurojust and INTERPOL, have seized over 30 506 domain names that distributed counterfeit and pirated items over the internet during operation IOS X.” reads the press release published by the Europol. “These included counterfeit pharmaceuticals and pirated movies, illegal television streaming, music, software, electronics, and other bogus products.”

The domain names were involved in the sale of illegal or counterfeit products, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals and pirated movies, music, software, electronics, illegal television streaming, and other bogus products. 

The operation resulted in the arrest of 3 suspects, the seizure of 26 000 luxury products (clothes, perfumes), 363 litres of alcoholic beverages, and many hardware devices. Authorities traced more than €150 000 in several bank accounts and online payment platforms. the police has also frozen them.

” ‘In Our Sites’ (IOS), launched in 2014, is the continuation of a recurrent joint global operation that has increased significantly year-on-year. The operation is the result of the comprehensive approach which Europol follows with the aim of making the internet a safer place for consumers, by getting even more countries and private sector partners to participate in this operation and providing referrals.” continues the press release.

Exactly one year ago, a joint operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with the help of the US IPR Center shut down more than 1 million “copyright-infringing website domain names selling counterfeit automotive parts, electrical components, personal care items and other fake goods [..]” as part of project ‘Transatlantic IX‘, under the the Operation In Our Sites.

“‘In Our Sites’ (IOS), launched in 2014, is the continuation of a recurrent joint global operation that has increased significantly year-on-year. The operation is the result of the comprehensive approach which Europol follows with the aim of making the internet a safer place for consumers, by getting even more countries and private sector partners to participate in this operation and providing referrals.” concludes the Europol. ” To raise awareness of this growing threat, Europol’s IPC³ launched the Don’t F***(ake) Up campaign. The campaign aims to inform citizens of the risks of buying fake products online and give advice to help identify illicit websites selling counterfeit goods, as well as other means used by counterfeiters, such as fake social media accounts and fake apps. “

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – Op In Our Sites, Europol)

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