In a coordinated international effort, four major distributors of the encrypted communications service Sky ECC, which has been widely used by criminals, have been arrested in Spain and the Netherlands.
According to the Spanish police, the two suspects arrested in Spain were among the most significant global distributors of the Sky ECC service, generating over €13.5 million ($14 million) in profits. The arrests were part of an operation that took place in late January 2025 across multiple locations, including Jávea (Alicante) and Ibiza. Law enforcement officials seized substantial amounts of cash, cryptocurrencies, and luxury items during the raids, including €10,000 and $26,000 in cash, as well as €1.4 million worth of cryptocurrencies and vehicles valued over €50,000.
Sky ECC, an encrypted communications service, came under scrutiny following Europol's announcement in March 2021 that it had cracked the platform’s encryption. This allowed investigators to monitor the communications of over 70,000 users, uncovering extensive links to criminal activity, such as international drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and money laundering.
The service was sold to clients via a subscription-based model, with access costing €600 for three months. Customers were provided with mobile terminals preloaded with Sky ECC’s secure communication system, which facilitated clandestine conversations linked to a range of illegal activities.
The two men arrested in Spain are accused of overseeing the global distribution of Sky ECC devices and software, processing subscription fees, and facilitating the operation of the platform.
On January 31, 2025, Dutch authorities arrested two high-ranking sellers of Sky ECC in Amsterdam and Arnhem. These individuals were directly involved with the platform’s CEO and were responsible for approximately 25% of all subscriptions, generating €6.8 million in profits.
The Dutch suspects, along with their counterparts in Spain, are expected to face prosecution in the Netherlands. Investigators also found that the two men arrested in Spain had operated as the primary distributors for the platform, with their activities crucial to the continued operation of Sky ECC.
In a separate statement, Europol announced that six suspects were taken into custody in an operation targeting a sophisticated investment fraud and money laundering ring.
The coordinated action in January 2025, spanning France, Spain, and Israel, led to the seizure of over €130,000 in cash and expensive watches in Israel, while French investigators have recovered approximately €450,000 in fraudulent funds.
