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Introduction
In a landmark crackdown against global cybercrime, Operation ENDGAME—a coordinated effort by Europol, Eurojust, and multiple international partners—has severely disrupted the ransomware ecosystem. Executed from May 19 to 22, 2025, the operation marks one of the largest global responses to cyber threats, targeting the very foundations of ransomware distribution. With a network of servers, domains, and threat actors dismantled, this effort represents a significant turning point in cyber defense strategy.
Operation ENDGAME 🚔💻
Between May 19 and 22, 2025, Europol and Eurojust led Operation ENDGAME, a sweeping international campaign aimed at crippling the infrastructure used by ransomware gangs. The operation involved collaboration from agencies in Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, all coordinating from a command center set up at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague. This multi-national effort dismantled over 300 servers and 650 domains, directly striking the backbone of cybercriminal operations.
The operation specifically targeted “initial access” malware—tools hackers use to gain entry into systems before launching full ransomware attacks. Several notorious strains were neutralized, including Bumblebee, Qakbot, Trickbot, Hijackloader, Lactrodectus, DanaBot, and Warmcookie. These are all widely used in ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operations, where cybercriminals rent malware kits to carry out attacks.
Alongside the infrastructure takedown, authorities seized €3.5 million in cryptocurrency, pushing the total value of assets seized to over €21.2 million. A total of 20 international arrest warrants were issued against key cybercriminals, with Germany set to list 18 of them on the EU’s Most Wanted list starting May 23. These individuals are accused of providing and operating tools critical to major ransomware incidents.
This operation continues efforts that began with the 2024 botnet crackdown, signifying an evolving strategy that targets not only the attackers but the technical tools they depend on. According to Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle, the campaign underscores law enforcement’s growing capability to disrupt ransomware attacks at their root by dismantling the platforms that enable them.
What Undercode Say: 🔍🧠
The success of Operation ENDGAME highlights a strategic evolution in how international authorities tackle cybercrime. Rather than waiting for attacks to happen and investigating after the damage is done, this campaign took a proactive approach, going straight for the initial infection points. This is a critical shift—by destroying malware loaders and access trojans before ransomware is deployed, authorities effectively broke the kill chain.
From a cybersecurity standpoint, this marks a watershed moment. By neutralizing malware like Qakbot and Trickbot, which serve as digital “crowbars” for breaking into systems, law enforcement is reducing the risk of large-scale ransomware attacks like those that crippled healthcare, education, and infrastructure sectors in previous years.
Moreover, the international scope of the operation shows the value of cross-border collaboration in fighting decentralized threats. Cybercriminals do not operate within borders—so neither can cyber defense. The setup of a unified command post in The Hague enabled real-time intelligence sharing and swift judicial cooperation via Eurojust, reducing bureaucratic lag that often hinders multinational efforts.
Undercode also notes the tactical emphasis on seizing cryptocurrency assets. Ransomware thrives because it’s profitable—by hitting cybercriminals financially, law enforcement makes it riskier and less rewarding to participate in these schemes. Over €21 million in total seizures indicates not only the scale of the operation but its financial blow to ransomware cartels.
However, it’s also crucial to recognize that while the infrastructure has been dismantled, many of the threat actors are still at large. The fact that 18 of them will appear on the EU Most Wanted list suggests that justice is still in progress. It also highlights the resilience and adaptability of cybercriminal networks. As history shows, these groups often reform, rebrand, and retaliate.
Thus, the fight is far from over. Cybersecurity professionals should remain vigilant. Companies must reassess their threat models, focusing not just on ransomware recovery but on initial access protection, including patch management, endpoint detection, and zero-trust frameworks.
In short, Operation ENDGAME should be seen as a major win, but also a call to continued action. The war on ransomware is global, complex, and ever-evolving.
🧪 Fact Checker Results
✅ Over 300 servers and 650 domains linked to ransomware groups were dismantled.
✅ 20 international arrest warrants were issued; 18 suspects to be listed on EU Most Wanted.
✅ Over €21.2M in illicit assets, including cryptocurrency, have been confiscated.
🔮 Prediction
The fall of major malware loaders will lead to a temporary drop in ransomware incidents globally. However, new variants and actors will emerge within the next 6–12 months. Expect ransomware gangs to pivot toward AI-driven phishing, dark web collaborations, and alternative monetization models. Law enforcement agencies will likely replicate this playbook in future campaigns, leading to more infrastructure-focused takedowns.
References:
Reported By: securityaffairs.com
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