Italian law enforcement agencies have detained a group of people who sold counterfeit money through a “DarkWeb”.

With the assistance of the Italian Public Prosecutor’s Office, eight criminals were detained in Naples who manufactured and distributed counterfeit euros across Europe. To sell their goods, the criminals used “DarkWeb” shops and sent counterfeit money by mail. In July 2018, an investigation was launched against a group of people accused of manufacturing and selling counterfeit banknotes worth more than 120 thousand euros. The counterfeiters had accomplices in many countries of the European Union, which greatly simplified their work.

The criminals acted according to a fairly simple scheme: they placed ads for the sale of counterfeit euros of various denominations on “DarkWeb” resources, and after receiving the order, they sent their invoice to pay for the goods in bitcoins. To deliver the parcels, they chose international mail, through which they sent toys and various vintage items with banknotes of different denominations hidden in them. During the investigation, European border guards intercepted about 50 packages in total. The total amount of money earned by the criminals in the period from 2012 to 2023 is almost 150 thousand euros. In addition to the counterfeiters, the police detained more than 30 buyers and identified fifty accomplices.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of a group of counterfeiters and the liquidation of their printing plant in Naples.

The Hague Prosecutor’s Office has requested a 5 and a half year prison sentence for a counterfeiter who produced and distributed counterfeit money via DarkWeb.

According to the Dutch prosecutor’s office, a 32-year-old resident of The Hague has been producing and selling counterfeit banknotes via DarkWeb for more than 3 years and sending them by mail throughout Europe.

The investigation began in early 2020. At that time, the Dutch authorities were asked by the German and Austrian authorities to launch an investigation into counterfeiting. Based on the information provided, the customs authorities of Germany and Austria were able to intercept packages of counterfeit banknotes sent to them from the Netherlands.

During the course of this investigation, law enforcement authorities were able to intercept a dozen packages sent to customers. All packages contained counterfeit banknotes of various currencies and denominations. The intercepted banknotes, namely the fingerprints left on them, helped law enforcement agencies identify the counterfeiter.

On July 12, 2022, investigators obtained a search warrant for the accused. During the search, the 32-year-old man was found to have a full-fledged printing house for the production of counterfeit banknotes of various denominations. Also, about 60 thousand euros, approximately 100 thousand Swedish kronor and more than 10 thousand US dollars were found. Firearms and ammunition were also found on the accused’s person.

According to the information provided by the Central Bank of the Netherlands, the counterfeiter produced and partially distributed counterfeit banknotes worth about 800 thousand euros throughout Europe.

A court hearing is scheduled for 2023, at which the defendant will be sentenced.