European law enforcement forces pull the plug on this free VPN in massive cybercrime crackdown here's all we know

Date:
Thu, 21 May 2026 13:29:14 +0000

Description:
Europol and Eurojust have led a massive, multi-country law enforcement operation to dismantle 'First VPN,' a tool allegedly used by cybercriminals
to hide their tracks while launching ransomware and fraud attacks.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Authorities from seven
countries took down 'First VPN,' seizing 33 servers The VPN was heavily marketed as a safe haven for ransomware operators The takedown led to thousands of cybercriminals being exposed A coalition of European law enforcement agencies has successfully taken down a massive virtual private network (VPN) that allegedly functioned as a digital shield for ransomware gangs and cybercriminals. The joint operation, coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, saw the dismantling of the criminal service known as 'First VPN.'

While everyday consumers use the VPN services to protect their privacy on public Wi-Fi or safely stream their favorite geo-blocked content, 'First VPN' seems to have been custom-built for the criminal underworld. The platform explicitly offered a "secure environment to carry out illegal activities," according to Eurojust , assuring its users that it kept zero logs, evaded global jurisdiction, and would never cooperate with authorities. That promise collapsed between May 19 and 20. In a coordinated strike dubbed " Operation Saffron ," police from seven countries seized 33 servers, shut down the platform's primary web domains (including 1vpns.com, 1vpns.net, 1vpns.org,
and associated onion sites), and executed a house search and interview of a key suspect in Ukraine. You may like Massive Interpol operation takes down 45,000 IP addresses and leads to 94 arrests Major SocksEscort proxy network powered by Linux malware taken down by FBI and other police forces Global Europol crackdown knocks over 373,000 dark web sites offline

TechRadar has contacted Europol and Eurojust for further comments, a spokeswoman said that they were "not able to provide any further details at this point in time since the investigations are currently ongoing."

For everyday users, the takedown of this rogue provider is a massive win. Cybercriminals heavily relied on 'First VPN' to mask their true locations while launching crippling ransomware attacks, stealing consumer data, and orchestrating large-scale fraud schemes.

Stripping away this layer of anonymity leaves these bad actors exposed,
making the digital landscape significantly safer for the general public. Unmasking the criminal underworld (Image credit: Future) Marketed heavily on Russian-speaking cybercrime forums, 'First VPN' had become a staple tool for digital thieves. It was so deeply embedded in the malicious ecosystem that, according to Europol , the service was "appearing in almost every major cybercrime investigation supported by Europol in recent years."

The operation to dismantle the network began gathering steam back in December 2021. By pooling resources across a Joint Investigation Team established by Eurojust in November 2023, and involving heavy hitters like the French Paris Prosecution Office, the Dutch National High Tech Crime Unit, and the UK's National Crime Agency, authorities successfully infiltrated the network
before pulling the plug.

Eurojust played a critical role in navigating the complex legal landscape, hosting 16 coordination meetings to prepare for the sting the organization explains in an official statement .

This stealthy, multi-national infiltration allowed investigators to obtain
the platforms heavily guarded user database. As a result, users of the criminal service who thought they were browsing anonymously have now been directly notified by police that their true identities have been compromised. What to read next Europol launches Operation PowerOFF warns 75,000 DDoS
users and takes down 53 domains Microsoft, Europol take down global phishing as a service network which was able to bypass 2FA with ease Major data leak forum LeakBase seized by FBI, Europol, and shut down

"For years, cybercriminals saw this VPN service as a gateway to anonymity," said Edvardas ileris, Head of Europols European Cybercrime Centre. "They believed it would keep them beyond the reach of law enforcement. This operation proves them wrong. Taking it offline removes a critical layer of protection that criminals depended on to operate, communicate and evade law enforcement." A goldmine of cybercrime intelligence The fallout from
Operation Saffron is only just beginning. With the infrastructure dead and
the suspected administrator facing questioning, authorities across multiple jurisdictions are now sifting through a mountain of seized traffic data. The operation also received crucial assistance from cybersecurity firm
Bitdefender .

The intelligence haul has been monumental. Europol confirmed that the
gathered data has already generated 83 intelligence packages and unmasked 506 specific users internationally. Furthermore, this treasure trove of traffic logs has actively advanced 21 ongoing Europol-supported cybercrime investigations.

Michael Jepson, Head of Penetration Testing at cybersecurity consulting firm CybaVerse, told TechRadar that the data gathered from this takedown "will
fuel follow-on investigations into activity conducted via First VPN and help target further illicit infrastructure."

The takedown also serves as a stark reminder that while VPN technology is vital for legitimate online privacy and security, criminal networks
attempting to misuse the technology to harbor illegal activities remain
firmly in the crosshairs of global law enforcement. Today's best VPN deals NordVPN 2 Year 2.59 /mth View +3 months free Surfshark 24 Months 1.49 /mth View Proton VPN 24 Month 2.39 /mth View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/european-law-enforcement-fo rces-pull-the-plug-on-this-free-vpn-in-massive-cybercrime-crackdown-heres-all- we-know


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