SPAK hits the cyber market/ "Rydox" is blocked, 3 administrators are arrested

2024-12-12 17:17:00, Aktualitet CNA

SPAK

The Special Prosecutor's Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, in cooperation with international partners and Albanian law enforcement institutions, successfully completed the "RYDOX" operation, hitting an illegal cyber market and arresting its three administrators.

One of the administrators, the Kosovar citizen Sh.S., who had residence and residence permit in Albania, was arrested based on the order of the prosecutor of the case.

Since February 2016, Rydox has completed over 7,600 information sales that generated at least $230,000 in revenue. The platform has delivered over 321,372 cybercrime products to a user base of 18,000 individuals, including stolen personally identifiable information such as names, addresses and social security numbers, credit card information and login credentials of thousands of people residing in United States.

The operation was carried out thanks to the close cooperation between SPAK, the FBI (Pittsburgh Office), the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), the Directorate of Cyber ??Crime Investigation in Albania, the Special Prosecutor's Office of Kosovo, the Police of Kosovo and the Royal Police of Malaysia.

The investigation is part of Criminal Procedure no. 7 of 2024, for the criminal offenses of "Computer fraud" and "Participation in a structured criminal group", according to the Criminal Code of Albania.

Illegal Activity

The Rydox website operated as an illegal marketplace dedicated to:

Selling stolen personal information (PII);
Selling stolen device access credentials;
Selling cybercrime tools and materials, including tutorials and spam tools.
Results of the Operation

SPAK hits the cyber market/ "Rydox" is blocked, 3 administrators are

In execution of the order of the Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, controls were carried out and seized:

1 computer unit and 6 laptops;
5 mobile phones and other storage devices;
Monetary documents and assets in cryptocurrencies.
As part of the operation, the American authorities seized the domain www.Rydox.cc, preventing the further use of this platform for illegal sales. Site visitors will now see a banner announcing the seizure by federal authorities, in cooperation with SPAK and international partners. Investigations continue for the full determination of the criminal responsibility of the suspects and the completion of investigations for the entire criminal chain.

Operation 'RYDOX' sets a new standard in the fight against organized and cybercrime, demonstrating SPAK's potential to cooperate with international and domestic law enforcement agencies in such complex investigations.

The Special Prosecutor's Office draws the public's attention to the serious dangers that illegal activities, such as those discovered through the "RYDOX" operation, pose to individuals and our society.

Illegal cybercrime markets not only violate the privacy and security of thousands of citizens by stealing and misusing personal data, but also empower criminal networks that negatively impact public trust and safety.

SPAK invites all citizens to be cautious of suspicious activities on the Internet, not to share personal information on insecure platforms and to report any cases of fraud or abuse to the relevant authorities./ CNA