Key figure behind major Russian-speaking cybercrime forum targeted in Ukraine – Europol

Report on Law Enforcement Action Against Cybercrime in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

An international law enforcement operation has culminated in the arrest of the suspected administrator of `xss.is`, a prominent Russian-speaking cybercrime forum. This action represents a significant contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), by dismantling a key node of organized crime and reinforcing the rule of law within the global digital ecosystem.

Operational Details and Contribution to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

On 22 July, a coordinated operation in Kyiv, Ukraine, resulted in the arrest of a high-value target believed to be the administrator of the `xss.is` platform. The investigation, led by French authorities, highlights a commitment to achieving SDG 16 by targeting illicit activities that undermine peace and justice.

• Target: Suspected administrator with nearly 20 years of involvement in cybercrime.
• Illicit Gains: Estimated earnings of over EUR 7 million from facilitating criminal operations.
• Impact on SDG 16: The operation directly supports key targets of SDG 16, including:
• Promoting the rule of law at national and international levels.
• Significantly reducing illicit financial flows and combating organized crime.
• Developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions to counter complex threats.

Mitigating Threats to Economic and Digital Infrastructure (SDG 8 & SDG 9)

The `xss.is` forum, with over 50,000 users, functioned as a marketplace that directly threatened SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). By facilitating cybercrime, the platform undermined legitimate economic activity and posed a risk to critical infrastructure.

Illicit Services Facilitated by the Forum:

• Sale and trade of stolen data.
• Distribution of malicious hacking tools.
• A coordination platform for launching cyberattacks.
• A recruitment ground for cybercriminal networks.

Neutralizing this hub helps safeguard the digital infrastructure necessary for sustainable industrialization and protects the integrity of the global economy.

A Model for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of this long-running investigation exemplifies the effectiveness of global partnerships, a core principle of SDG 17. The operation’s success was dependent on robust international cooperation.

Key Cooperating Entities:

1. The French authorities (Gendarmerie Nationale)
2. The Ukrainian National Police (Національна поліція України)
3. Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3)

This transnational collaboration is vital for addressing borderless criminal challenges and strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal addressed in the article is:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal aims to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” The article’s focus on combating international cybercrime, arresting a key criminal figure, and the cooperation between law enforcement agencies from different countries (France, Ukraine, and Europol) directly aligns with the objectives of SDG 16. The actions described are fundamental to reducing crime, ensuring justice, and strengthening institutions against transnational threats.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under SDG 16 can be identified:

• Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

  The article directly relates to this target by detailing actions against a major cybercrime platform that facilitated organized crime. The text states the forum was used by “the most active and dangerous cybercriminal networks” and that the suspected administrator “made over EUR 7 million facilitating illegal activities.” This EUR 7 million represents an illicit financial flow, and the entire operation is a direct effort to combat organized crime.

• Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

  This target is demonstrated by the operational details mentioned in the article. It highlights “a long-running investigation led by the French authorities, in close cooperation with their Ukrainian counterpart and Europol.” This collaboration is a clear example of international cooperation strengthening the capacity of national and international institutions to combat complex, cross-border crime like cybercrime.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains information that can serve as qualitative and quantitative indicators for the identified targets:

• Indicators for Target 16.4

  The official indicator is 16.4.1: “Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows.” The article provides a specific data point relevant to this indicator by mentioning that the suspect “made over EUR 7 million facilitating illegal activities.” This figure is a direct measure of an illicit financial flow generated by organized crime. Furthermore, the arrest of a “key figure” and the targeting of a major criminal marketplace (“xss.is”) serve as a qualitative indicator of progress in combating organized crime.

• Indicators for Target 16.a

  While the article does not cite a formal indicator, it provides clear evidence of the target’s implementation. The successful joint operation involving France, Ukraine, and Europol is in itself an indicator of effective international cooperation. The description of the “close cooperation” that led to the arrest serves as a case study and a qualitative measure of the strength of institutional partnerships in fighting crime.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: europol.europa.eu