Europol and French-Dutch Authorities Dismantle MATRIX Messaging Service

Europol has announced the dismantling of the MATRIX encrypted messaging service, an operation coordinated by Dutch and French authorities with support from Eurojust and Europol. The service was discovered on a criminal's phone during a murder investigation in 2021, and its complex infrastructure spanned over 40 servers across Europe. Authorities intercepted more than 2.3 million messages in 33 languages, revealing links to serious crimes such as international drug trafficking and money laundering. The operation culminated on December 3, 2024, with simultaneous raids in Spain, France, and Lithuania, resulting in multiple arrests, including the alleged main operator, a 52-year-old Lithuanian man. Authorities seized substantial assets, including cash, cryptocurrency, encrypted devices, and vehicles, highlighting the international cooperation essential in combating cybercrime. This effort follows previous takedowns of similar services, underscoring an ongoing commitment to disrupt criminal communication channels.