July 18, 2014 - European authorities say they have dismantled a Romanian-dominated cybercrime network that used a host of tactics to steal more than EUR2 million.

Hundreds of police in Romania and France, backed by the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), carried out raids on 177 addresses, interrogating 115 people and detaining 65.

Those held are suspected of participating in sophisticated electronic payment crimes, using malware to take over and gain access to computers used by money transfer services all over Europe. They are also accused of stealing card data through skimming, money laundering and drug trafficking.

Proceeds of the crimes were invested in different types of property, deposited in bank accounts or transferred electronically, says the EC3. Large sums of money, luxury vehicles and IT equipment were seized during the raids.

Troels Oerting, head, EC3, says: said: "As a direct result of the excellent cooperation and outstanding work by police officers and prosecutors from Romania, France and other European countries, a key criminal network has been successfully taken down this week."