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The cybersecurity unit of the Rotterdam police has apprehended four individuals suspected of engaging in large-scale phishing and bank helpdesk fraud. The quartet came to the attention of authorities during Operation Cookie Monster, a significant international law enforcement effort focused on Genesis Market.
According to a statement released by the police, the arrested individuals range in age from 23 to 30 years old and hail from Almere, Huizen, and Amersfoort. Law enforcement officers discovered substantial amounts of cash, high-end clothing, jewelry, and an automobile during the searches conducted at their residences.
The 26-year-old suspect is believed to have played a pivotal role in orchestrating the criminal activities, setting up the fraudulent service and facilitating the participation of his accomplices. The 23-year-old suspect had previously been apprehended in connection with a bank helpdesk fraud investigation in 2021. The exact number of victims affected by the group's actions remains unknown, though a single victim has reported losses exceeding €33,000.
Further arrests have not been ruled out as the investigation is ongoing. In a separate case this year, two individuals linked to Dutch Genesis Market were convicted on various charges, including fraud, and each received a four-year prison sentence.
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