Monitoring groups are becoming more and more fragmented due to the recent actions of law enforcement agencies, according to the latest report from Europol on organized crime on the Internet (IOCTA).
The 10th edition of the report examines key events, changes, and threats in the field of cybercrime over the past year. In the 2024 release, significant issues such as cyber attacks, online fraud, and child exploitation are addressed, along with future challenges related to new technologies, cryptocurrencies, and illegal content on the internet.
The study highlights that law enforcement agencies’ crackdown on cybercrime networks has resulted in widespread rebranding and the fragmentation of these groups into smaller subgroups. The frequent closure of darknet forums and markets has further exacerbated the fragmentation of cybercriminal activities.
Consequently, millions of individuals across the European Union are exposed to daily risks, including attacks on small and medium-sized businesses, digital skimming targeting online stores and banks, as well as various forms of phishing and fraud. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in cases of online sexual extortion targeting vulnerable minors.
IOCTA 2024 also points to the rise of multi-level extortion tactics, where stolen data is threatened to be published or sold at auction, potentially leading to repeated victimization. The report underscores that the average age of cybercriminals is decreasing, with more youth getting involved, and the utilization of artificial intelligence tools in malicious activities is increasing.
The report also discusses the increasing use of cryptocurrencies in various criminal activities and the challenges associated with communicating through encrypted platforms (E2EE).
“In order to effectively address the key threats highlighted in IOCTA 2024, law enforcement agencies require appropriate knowledge, tools, and legislation. As criminals adapt, law enforcement agencies and legislators must innovate to stay ahead of them and leverage emerging technologies,” wrote Europol.