Germany's law enforcement authorities have dismantled Crimenetwork, the country’s largest marketplace, which the sale of drugs, stolen data, and illegal services. The operation was carried out by the Public Prosecutor's Office in Frankfurt am Main, the Central Office for Combating Cybercrime (ZIT), and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
Active since 2012, Crimenetwork operated as a German-language platform for cybercriminals, boasting over 100 registered sellers and more than 100,000 users at the time of its closure. The majority of its user base came from German-speaking countries. Transactions on the platform were conducted using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Monero to maintain anonymity. According to the BKA, between 2018 and 2024, Crimenetwork facilitated transactions totaling approximately 1,000 Bitcoin and 20,000 Monero, equivalent to around €93 million ($98 million).
The platform generated revenue by taking a 5% commission on transactions, charging subscription fees to sellers, and earning advertising income. Law enforcement estimates that Crimenetwork's operators profited by at least $5 million since 2018.
The operation also led to the arrest of the marketplace's suspected administrator, a 29-year-old known online as ‘Techmin.’ Authorities believe Techmin played a key role as a technical expert in the platform’s operations for several years. He now faces charges under Section 127 of the German Criminal Code for operating a criminal online marketplace, as well as charges under Sections 29a and 30a of the Narcotics Act.
BKA officials said that they have obtained detailed information about Crimenetwork's registered members and sellers, suggesting that more arrests could follow in the near future.