MATRIX Dismantled: Global Operation Takes Down Encrypted Criminal Network
During an international operation, law enforcement agencies dismantled the encrypted communication platform MATRIX, utilized by criminal organizations. The operation was coordinated with the participation of France, the Netherlands, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain, with support from Europol and Eurojust.
MATRIX was initially discovered in 2021 during the investigation into the murder of a Dutch journalist. Analysis revealed that MATRIX represented a more sophisticated infrastructure compared to previously dismantled platforms such as Sky ECC and EncroChat.
The service was designed with a strong emphasis on anonymity and security. Access was restricted to invitation-only, making it exceedingly difficult for outsiders to infiltrate. The platform’s infrastructure comprised over 40 servers distributed across several countries, with key servers located in France and Germany.
Three months of surveillance allowed authorities to intercept and decrypt more than 2.3 million messages in 33 languages. The intercepted data was linked to international drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering operations.
On December 3, coordinated takedown operations were conducted in four countries. In France, a suspect was arrested, and a search of their residence was conducted. In Spain, two individuals were apprehended, and six searches were carried out. Similarly, six properties were searched in Lithuania. The primary servers in France and Germany were taken offline, and platform users were notified of the interception via an informational message.
The data collected will be utilized for further investigations and the prosecution of individuals involved in criminal networks.
