German Police Strike a Major Blow Against the Shadow Economy

German authorities have arrested the administrator of Crimenetwork, the largest criminal platform in the German-speaking darknet. During the raid, police seized evidence, luxury cars, and cryptocurrency assets worth approximately €1 million. The platform’s servers have been taken offline.

About Crimenetwork

Crimenetwork had been operating since 2012 and was considered the biggest marketplace for the shadow economy in the German-speaking internet. The platform facilitated the sale of stolen data, drugs, forged documents, and other illegal goods and services. At the time of its shutdown, Crimenetwork had over 100,000 registered users and more than 100 vendors, with the majority of its audience coming from German-speaking countries.

Administrator Arrested

The platform was run by a 29-year-old man who was responsible for technical support and the development of the site. He now faces charges of operating a criminal platform and large-scale illegal drug trafficking. The suspect is currently in custody.

Financial Operations and Revenue

Payments on Crimenetwork were made using Bitcoin and Monero. Between 2018 and 2024, the total volume of transactions exceeded 1,000 BTC (about €90 million) and 20,000 XMR (about €3 million). The platform generated revenue through commissions ranging from 1% to 5% of each transaction, as well as monthly fees from vendors for advertising and licenses.

International Investigation

The investigation lasted several years and was supported by international law enforcement agencies, including prosecutors and police from the Netherlands. Authorities collected extensive data on users and transactions, which will aid in identifying other organizers and participants involved in criminal activities.