Four distributors of the encrypted communications service Sky ECC, a widespread tool among criminal networks, were arrested in operations carried out in Spain and the Netherlands.
See also: United Kingdom: Asks Apple to provide access to encrypted user files
Spanish police announced that the two arrested in the country are considered top global distributors of the service, having made profits exceeding 13.5 million euros ($14 million).
The study on the communications service, its vendors and customers began in 2019. According to available information, customers accessed the service through a subscription model, at a cost of 600 euros for a three-month period.
In March 2021, Europol revealed that it had managed to breach the encryption of the Sky ECC platform. This development allowed authorities to monitor the communications of 70,000 users, revealing extensive criminal activity.
Although the agency initially denied these accusations, claiming that cybercriminals did not exploit its platform, there was compelling evidence to the contrary.
Today, Spanish authorities announced the arrest of two of the leading distributors of the Sky ECC service, as well as the seizure of cash and important objects. The operation took place at the end of January 2025, in the areas of Jávea (Alicante) and Ibiza.
See also: Google Messages doesn't always have end-to-end encryption
In simultaneous police raids at seven different locations, authorities made significant seizures. These included telephone terminals and electronic devices, the sum of 10,000 euros and 26,000 dollars in cash, cryptocurrencies worth 1,400,000 euros, two vehicles, as well as luxury goods with a total value of over 50,000 euros.
Dutch police announced on January 31, 2025, the arrest of two men in Amsterdam and Arnhem. The arrested men, who held senior positions at the service, are said to have maintained direct contact with the CEO . The Dutch distributors are said to have handled around 25% of Sky ECC's subscriptions, generating profits of €6.8 million.
Investigations conducted by the Dutch National Prosecutor's Office led to the arrest of two men in Spain. The arrested men are expected to be extradited to the Netherlands, where they will face criminal charges.
See also: CISA: Switch to encrypted messaging apps
Encrypted services play a critical role in protecting sensitive information in the digital age. Using advanced algorithms, these services ensure that data is transmitted securely and is only accessed by authorized parties. Encryption protects privacy, prevents unauthorized access, and is widely applied in applications such as messaging, online banking, and cloud storage.
Source: bleepingcomputer
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