Global Cybercrime Sweep Targeted Young DDoS Attackers

Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and several European countries and the US have arrested 34 people for allegedly carrying out distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and released some 101 people after questioning and warning them.

The operation was part of a cybercrime prevention drive between December 5 to 9 to seek out young adults under the age of 20 participating in DDoS attacks.  

Europol's campaign was conducted under the framework of EMPACT - European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats – and participating countries included the US, UK, France, Belgium, Norway, Spain, and others. EMPACT seeks to identify young cyberattack suspects in the EU and beyond in order to help them understand the risks of engaging in cybercrime and encourage them to put their skills to better use.

"One of the key priorities of law enforcement should be to engage with these young people to prevent them from pursuing a criminal path, helping them understand how they can use their skills for a more constructive purpose," EC3 head Steven Wilson said.

For more, see Europol's news release.