Albania, Germany, Cyprus and Israel: Operation “Platform”, on online investment fraud investigation

2026 marks the 25^th anniversary of the Convention on Cybercrime (also known as the Budapest Convention ).

H ere are 25 selected real cases and operations against cybercrime that speak for themselves on the usefulness and relevance of the Convention and its framework in the daily work of criminal justice authorities worldwide, working on fighting against cybercrime and protecting you and your rights in cyberspace.

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25 cases

Back Albania, Germany, Cyprus and Israel: Operation “Platform”, on online investment fraud investigation

Operation “Platform” represents a significant international law enforcement action targeting organised criminal groups engaged in online investment fraud, conducted across multiple jurisdictions with the support of Europol and Eurojust. In Albania, the operation was carried out by the Cybercrime Investigation Directorate in cooperation with the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Prosecution Office (SPAK) and the Special Operational Force Directorate, with the coordinated involvement of authorities from Germany, Albania, Cyprus, and Israel.

The Albanian phase of the operation was executed pursuant to court orders issued by the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organised Crime, authorising searches across three separate premises in Tirana. The searches were conducted in response to a formal letter rogatory issued by German authorities and resulted in the seizure of two mobile phones, one laptop, one computer unit, one USB drive, one external hard disk, and EUR 40,020 in cash, all secured as material evidence.

The targeted criminal group is suspected of defrauding more than 100 victims through a fictitious online investment platform, causing financial damages estimated at over EUR 3 million. The operation formed part of a broader coordinated international effort supported by Europol and Eurojust, and investigations are ongoing.

Operation “Platform” represents a classic use of the Budapest Convention in support of a cross-border online investment fraud investigation. The searches conducted in Albania pursuant to court orders are consistent with the exercise of powers under Article 19 concerning the search and seizure of stored computer data. The fact that the Albanian action was carried out in response to a formal request from German authorities indicates the use of mutual assistance mechanisms under Articles 25 and 31. In light of the nature of the offence, the investigation also relied on production orders and data preservation measures under Articles 18, 16 and 17 to obtain and secure electronic records linked to the fraudulent investment platform, the suspects’ communications, and related financial transactions.