Operation Moonlander Strikes: How Global Cybercops Took Down a Digital Crime Syndicate

This week, international law enforcement delivered a KNOCKOUT PUNCH to cybercrime, seizing two major proxy services that secretly operated a massive botnet of hacked routers. The FBI and Dutch National Police didn’t just shut down websites – they obliterated a $46 million criminal operation built on thousands of compromised devices.

“This wasn’t just some script kiddie operation – we’re talking about a sophisticated cybercrime enterprise that evaded detection for nearly two decades.”

Ryan English, Black Lotus Labs

The Botnet That Fooled the Internet

Anyproxy and 5Socks weren’t your average VPN services. These were WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING – posing as legitimate proxy providers while secretly:

• Hijacking vulnerable routers (especially older models)
• Creating a global network of 1,000+ active proxies weekly
• Selling access to criminals in 80+ countries
• Generating $46 million in illicit profits

How the Cybercriminals Operated

The indictment reveals a SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE yet effective scheme:

1. Target outdated routers with known vulnerabilities
2. Infect thousands of devices to create a botnet
3. Market “residential proxy services” on cybercrime forums
4. Let criminals hide behind legitimate-looking IP addresses

“Residential IP addresses are the ultimate camouflage – security systems treat them like grandma’s internet traffic when they’re actually hiding digital bank robbers.”

DOJ Indictment

The Criminal Playbook Exposed

This wasn’t some petty cybercrime – investigators found the botnet being used for:

• Password spraying attacks (testing stolen credentials across multiple sites)
• DDoS attacks that could take down websites
• Massive ad fraud schemes draining marketing budgets
• Financial fraud operations growing in popularity

The Takeaway: Why This Matters for YOU

While the bad guys got busted, this case reveals THREE CRUCIAL LESSONS:

1. Update your damn router – these criminals specifically targeted outdated devices
2. Be wary of “too good to be true” proxy services – legitimate VPNs don’t hide criminal networks
3. Law enforcement IS watching – even sophisticated operations spanning decades can get taken down

The FBI and Dutch police didn’t just win a battle – they sent a DEAFENING MESSAGE to cybercriminals worldwide: Your digital crime empire can and WILL be dismantled.