Law enforcement agencies across Europe have successfully dismantled Matrix, an encrypted communication service that was exclusively used by criminal organizations. The joint operation, led by French and Dutch authorities, marks another victory in the ongoing battle against cybercrime.
Matrix, which operated under various names including Mactrix, Totalsec, X-quantum, and Q-safe, was an invitation-only service with over 8,000 users who paid up to 1,600 euros for a dedicated phone and subscription. The platform offered features like video calls, anonymous internet browsing, and transaction tracking, primarily through apps installed on Google Pixel phones.
The service first caught the attention of Dutch authorities when it was discovered on the phone of a suspect involved in the 2021 murder of Dutch crime journalist Peter R. de Vries. Investigators noted that Matrix's infrastructure was more sophisticated than previous criminal communication platforms like Sky ECC and EncroChat.
Using advanced technology, authorities managed to monitor the network for three months, successfully intercepting and decrypting messages that revealed evidence of international drug trafficking, arms dealing, and money laundering operations.
The December 3rd crackdown involved law enforcement agencies from Germany, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain, resulting in:
- Three arrests in France and Spain
- Seizure of over 40 servers across Europe
- Confiscation of 145,000 euros in cash
- Half a million euros in cryptocurrencies
- 970 phones and 4 vehicles
The operation revealed that a 52-year-old Lithuanian national, based in Spain, was the primary operator of the service. Current users of the platform have been notified of the infiltration through a splash page, and authorities now have legal access to the intercepted messages for ongoing investigations.
This takedown follows similar successful operations against encrypted criminal communication platforms like Sky ECC, EncroChat, Exclu, and Ghost. While criminals continue to seek alternative communication methods, law enforcement agencies demonstrate their growing capability to combat these evolving technological threats.
Note: This Matrix service is unrelated to the legitimate company and communication protocol of the same name.
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