The AFP has assisted a Europol-led investigation to disrupt an offshore money launderer that washed $542 million for cybercriminals, including a ransomware group that extorted an Australian business.
AFP contributions began in November, 2025, when investigators uncovered activity by two foreign administrators who allegedly ran a money laundering service for cybercriminals from Georgia.
The money laundering service, known as AudiA6, was allegedly given illegally obtained finances (often cryptocurrency) by cybercriminals, 'cleaned' the money, and converted it into traditional currencies. The launderers allegedly charged commissions of between three and 10 per cent.
The service was allegedly in operation from 2009 and is suspected of laundering more than $542 million between 2022 and 2025.
AudiA6 was advertised on cybercrime forum 'Dark2Web', and it's alleged the service laundered part of a ransom paid by an Australian business in 2024.
That business was the victim of a ransomware attack when cybercriminals allegedly infiltrated its online data and demanded the ransom, or the data would be shared online. That matter remains under investigation.
Europol's cybercrime and cryptocurrency experts, assisted by the AFP, traced illicit crypto flows and mapped AudiA6's infrastructure for allegedly moving criminal profits across borders.
Resolution activity took place on 10 June, 2026, in Georgia, where two men were arrested. Three properties were searched in Georgia, 25 domains were taken down, and more than 30 servers were seized.
$1.1 million in cryptocurrency assets were frozen and $141,000 in cryptocurrency was seized.
AudiA6 and Dark2Web sites on the clear web and dark web were seized and replaced by a law enforcement seizure banner.
Law enforcement in France, Germany, Iceland and the United States also took down servers and domains in their respective jurisdictions that were linked to the criminal infrastructure.
The joint operation included law enforcement partners in Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
AFP Cybercrime Commander Graeme Marshall said this operation exemplified the strong relationship between the AFP and international law enforcement agencies.
"The AFP and our partners have the same goal - to disrupt cybercrime activity and hold alleged offenders to account," Commander Marshall said.
"The strong relationship between our law enforcement partners is critical to achieving this goal.
"The work of our investigators and analysts in this operation was valuable to our international partners, and I'm proud of their efforts that contributed to this outcome in Europe.
"Cybercriminals are active around the world, and we will always work together to disrupt their illegal activity."
AFP and Cybercrime
The AFP is committed to equipping all Australians with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves against cybercrime.
Watch our cybercrime prevention videos and protect yourself from being a victim of cybercrime.
If you are a victim of cybercrime, report it to police using ReportCyber
Risk Warning: Cryptocurrency is a unregulated virtual notoriously volatile instrument with a high level of risk. Any news, opinions, research, data, or other information contained within this website is provided for news reporting purposes as general market commentary and does not constitute investment or trading advice.
