From Burglary to Bytes: The Evolution of a Criminal Network
In the ever-evolving landscape of crime, a group of repeat offenders from Osona, Spain, have demonstrated a remarkable adaptation, transitioning from traditional theft to the realm of cyber scams. Dubbed the “Darwin Case” by the Mossos d’Esquadra, this moniker reflects the group’s evolution, mirroring Charles Darwin’s theory of species adaptation.
These individuals, mostly under 30 years old, boast a lengthy criminal history, having previously targeted homes, vehicles, and businesses. However, they recently embraced a new modus operandi, drawn to the allure of reduced risk and increased profits offered by cybercrime.
over the past year, this sophisticated network has defrauded an estimated 1,200 victims across Spain, amassing over a million euros in illicit gains.Their tactics involved leveraging the “crime as a service” model,acquiring tools and data from online black markets,including the dark web and platforms like Telegram.
They purchased personal facts, including bank details, and even outsourced call center operations to handle the initial stages of the scam. victims were bombarded with smishing (SMS), phishing (email), and voice phishing (wishing) attacks, frequently enough employing the classic “urgent family member in trouble” ploy or impersonating bank representatives to gain access to sensitive financial information.
The group’s modus operandi involved directing victims to fake websites mimicking legitimate banks, prompting them to divulge personal data. Together, a contracted call center would contact the victims, posing as bank employees and further extracting information. This data was then relayed to the scammers, who would swiftly withdraw funds from ATMs, initially in Osona but later expanding their operations to Barcelona, Girona, and even the Basque Country to avoid detection.
Tracking these cybercriminals proved challenging, as many leads pointed to untraceable IP addresses in tax havens.however, their reliance on physical ATM withdrawals ultimately led to their downfall. Their prolonged ATM occupation raised suspicions, leading investigators to identify them through security footage.
A series of raids in March and November resulted in the arrest of 23 individuals,primarily in Manlleu. Authorities seized a trove of evidence, including cryptocurrency storage devices, external hard drives, cash, prepaid phone cards, stolen credit cards, imitation weapons, detonators, and a marijuana plantation.All suspects are currently in custody.
While the Darwin Case has seen important progress, it remains an ongoing examination. the estimated 1,200 victims represent only the tip of the iceberg, as the true extent of cybercrime often goes unreported. Moreover, the contracted call center remains at large, highlighting the complex and interconnected nature of these criminal networks.
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