Authorities Seized 800 Servers of Hosting Company Used to Launch Cyberattacks
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Dutch authorities have seized more than 800 servers and arrested two individuals as part of a major investigation into a hosting infrastructure allegedly used to support cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and sanctions evasion linked to Russia.<\/p>\n
The Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) confirmed that arrests were carried out on May 18, 2026, targeting a 57-year-old man from Amsterdam and a 39-year-old man from The Hague.<\/p>\n
Both suspects are accused of violating the EU Sanctions Act by indirectly providing economic resources and services to entities sanctioned by the European Union.<\/p>\n
The investigation centers on a web hosting company established on February 10, 2022, just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine.<\/p>\n
According to investigators, the company\u2019s infrastructure was later leveraged to facilitate destabilizing activities targeting the European Union.<\/p>\n
These activities reportedly included:<\/p>\n
Authorities believe the infrastructure played a role in undermining democratic processes and disrupting public and economic systems across EU member states. The hosting provider was officially placed on the EU sanctions list on May 20, 2025.<\/p>\n
However, investigators discovered that a significant portion of its infrastructure was transferred to a newly established Dutch company around the same time.<\/p>\n
FIOD findings indicate that<\/a> this new entity acted as a front organization to circumvent sanctions. The 57-year-old suspect is identified as the company\u2019s director and indirect sole shareholder.<\/p>\n A second Dutch company, operated by the 39-year-old suspect, allegedly played a supporting role by providing internet connectivity to the infrastructure, effectively enabling continued operations despite sanctions.<\/p>\n Authorities conducted coordinated searches across multiple locations, including:<\/p>\n During these operations, law enforcement seized:<\/p>\n The scale of the seizure underscores the extensive infrastructure required for the operation. It suggests a significant capacity for cyber-enabled activities.<\/p>\n The Functional Prosecution Service is leading the case under the Dutch Public Prosecution Service.<\/p>\n Violations of EU sanctions fall under both the Sanctions Act and the Economic Offenses Act, making such activities criminally punishable.<\/p>\n Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EU has expanded sanctions targeting Russia and Belarus, including restrictions on financial transactions and the provision of technical services.<\/p>\n Authorities emphasize that attempts to circumvent these measures, including through proxy companies or infrastructure transfers<\/a>, are actively investigated.<\/p>\n The FIOD continues to track individuals and organizations attempting to evade sanctions while enabling cyber operations.<\/p>\n The investigation remains ongoing, and further arrests or asset seizures may follow as authorities analyze the confiscated infrastructure and data.<\/p>\n Follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a>,\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0to Get More Instant Updates.<\/strong><\/p>\n The post Authorities Seized 800 Servers of Hosting Company Used to Launch Cyberattacks<\/a> appeared first on Cyber Security News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Ongoing Investigation<\/strong><\/h2>\n