Takedown of the “OLVX” Illegal Online Marketplace. The Cybercrime Department of North Macedonia, in coordination with international partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has disrupted an illegal online marketplace known as “OLVX”. Active since July 2023 across multiple domains, the platform facilitated the sale of cybercrime tools and compromised personal data used for electronic payment fraud, identity theft, and access device fraud.
The total sales value exceeded USD 500,000. The seized server contained a detailed registration database with over 2,600 customer accounts and more than 1,500 vendor accounts. Action taken: in April 2026, based on a court order, a search was conducted at the residence of a suspect (a North Macedonian citizen) believed to be the platform’s administrator. Electronic devices were seized and are undergoing forensic analysis. The administrator was arrested and is currently facing criminal proceedings.
The takedown of “OLVX” provides a strong example of the Budapest Convention’s application in a case involving cybercrime infrastructure and an online illicit marketplace. The court-authorised search of the suspect’s residence and the seizure of electronic devices correspond directly to Article 19. The recovery and examination of server data, including customer and vendor account information were based on preservation measures under Articles 16 and 17 and production orders under Article 18, both domestically and through co-operation with service providers and international partners. The coordination with foreign counterparts, including the FBI, further demonstrates the practical relevance of the Convention’s broader framework for international co-operation in identifying infrastructure, linking online activity to individuals, and preserving evidence across jurisdictions.