Down the rabbit hole: Operation Alice dismantles 373,000 dark web sites in global sting
Law enforcement authorities from over 20 countries have participated in a global operation targeting one of the largest networks of fraudulent dark web platforms.
Operation Alice, a global police enforcement action aimed at taking a bite out of cybercrime, was launched in 2021 against a platform on the dark web called “Alice with Violence CP.”
Through international cooperation, the authorities found out that the platform’s operator was running more than 373,000 fraudulent websites, offering child sexual abuse material (CSAM), credit card data, access to foreign systems, and cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS).
Images and videos depicting child pornography could be purchased as “packages” by providing an email address and making a payment in bitcoin. Each package cost between €17 and €215 but was ultimately never delivered.
Customers interested in CaaS offerings were also persuaded to make payments in cryptocurrency, but never received any service in return.
From March 9th to March 19th, 2026, 23 countries joined forces in Operation Alice. During the operation, law enforcement officers shut down over 373,000 onion sites on the dark web and seized 105 servers in Germany.
The conversation on this topic is live. Join in the discussion.
In addition, 440 customers worldwide were identified, as well as one suspect for operating the “Alice with Violence CP” platform. Authorities believe he made over €345,000 in profits by deceiving approximately 100,000 customers globally.
Lastly, a bunch of electronic devices were confiscated, including mobile phones, computers, and electronic data carriers.
“Operation Alice sends a clear message: there is nowhere to hide for criminals when the international law enforcement community works hand in glove. We will find them and hold them accountable. Europol will continue to protect children, support victims, and track down the perpetrators,” Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director at Europol, said in a statement.
Law enforcement authorities from 23 countries participated in Operation Alice, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Europol facilitated information exchange between law enforcement authorities, provided analytical support, played a key role in tracing cryptocurrency payments and delivering intelligence to the countries involved, and coordinated the international response.
The operation was led by Germany.
Unlock more exclusive Cybernews content on YouTube.
