In this report, cybercriminal landscape remained diverse, comprising both lone actors and criminal networks offering a wide range of expertise and capabilities. Some cybercriminals targeting the EU were based within the EU, while others preferred to operate from abroad, concealing their illicit operations and funds in third countries. The use of deepfakes is another area of concern as this is a powerful addition to the cybercriminal toolbox.

The 2018 Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA), has been and continues to be one of the flagship strategic products for Europol. It provides a unique law enforcement focused assessment of the emerging threats and key developments in the field of cybercrime over the last year.

This is the fourth annual presentation of the cybercrim threat landscape by Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre.