Story perspectives

Europol's Operation PowerOFF Targets 75,000 Cybercriminals, Arrests Four

4/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Europol led a law enforcement coalition in operation PowerOFF targeting over 75,000 alleged cybercriminals involved in DDoS attacks, including warning emails and letters to suspected DDoS-for-hire users.
Authorities identified suspects by raiding and seizing servers linked to DDoS-for-hire services.
The operation resulted in four arrests, the takedown of 53 domains, and 24 executed search warrants.
DDoS attacks persist due to disruption and ease of execution, often enabled by for-hire services.

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Story summary

Europol led a law enforcement coalition in operation PowerOFF targeting over 75,000 alleged cybercriminals involved in DDoS attacks, including warning emails and letters to suspected DDoS-for-hire users.
Authorities identified suspects by raiding and seizing servers linked to DDoS-for-hire services.
The operation resulted in four arrests, the takedown of 53 domains, and 24 executed search warrants.
DDoS attacks persist due to disruption and ease of execution, often enabled by for-hire services.