FBI Supports International Takedown of VPN Service Allegedly Used by Ransomware Groups in Global Cybercrime Operations

BOSTON — The FBI has announced its support for a major international law enforcement operation that dismantled a VPN service allegedly used by ransomware groups and cybercriminal organizations to conduct network intrusions, reconnaissance activity, fraud operations, and attacks against businesses around the world.

According to federal authorities, the operation targeted First VPN Service, a virtual private network provider that allegedly marketed itself as an anonymity-focused platform while providing infrastructure used by numerous cybercriminal groups involved in ransomware attacks and other forms of cyber-enabled crime.

Federal investigators allege the service was utilized by at least 25 ransomware groups, including actors associated with Avaddon ransomware operations, to facilitate malicious activity targeting organizations in the United States and internationally.

The FBI stated that Boston Division investigators and the FBI Cyber Division had been working with international law enforcement partners on the investigation since at least 2021, providing technical assistance, intelligence support, and investigative coordination that contributed to the disruption.

The takedown was led by France’s Direction Régionale de la Police Judiciaire Brigade de Lutte Contre la Cybercriminalité and the Dutch National Police National High Tech Crime Unit, with assistance from authorities in Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the United States.

Federal authorities stated the operation forms part of Operation Riptide, an ongoing FBI initiative targeting cybercriminal infrastructure, ransomware ecosystems, fraud operations, financial networks supporting cybercrime, and the digital services used to facilitate attacks against businesses and individuals.

Investigators allege First VPN Service operated since approximately 2014 and allowed users to route internet traffic through servers located in roughly 27 countries worldwide, including infrastructure hosted within California, Florida, and New York.

According to the FBI, infrastructure linked to the service was associated with a wide range of malicious activity including ransomware operations, botnet activity, denial-of-service attacks, network scanning operations, fraud schemes, and unauthorized intrusions targeting enterprise networks.

Federal authorities further allege the service was heavily promoted within criminal dark web communities, including prominent Russian-language cybercrime forums frequently used to facilitate the sale of stolen data, unauthorized network access, malware services, hacking tools, and other illicit cybercrime products.

Cybersecurity investigators continue warning that criminal infrastructure providers play a critical role within modern cybercrime ecosystems. Rather than conducting attacks directly, these services allegedly provide anonymity, hosting, communications, network routing, and operational support that allow threat actors to evade detection and conduct attacks across multiple jurisdictions.

Law enforcement agencies increasingly focus on dismantling these supporting services because disrupting criminal infrastructure often impacts multiple cybercriminal groups simultaneously and forces threat actors to rebuild portions of their operational environment.

Visitors attempting to access First VPN Service infrastructure are now reportedly met with a law enforcement seizure notice indicating the service has been taken offline as part of the international operation.

The FBI also announced the release of a FLASH alert containing indicators of compromise, infrastructure information, and tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with the service. The intelligence is intended to help organizations identify potential exposure and investigate suspicious activity within their environments.

Federal cybersecurity officials continue encouraging organizations to review network logs, monitor for unusual connections, implement strong authentication controls, maintain updated security systems, and investigate any indicators associated with known cybercriminal infrastructure.

The takedown comes as cybercrime continues expanding globally. According to FBI data, Americans reported more than $20 billion in cybercrime-related losses last year, representing a significant increase from previous reporting periods and highlighting the growing financial impact of ransomware, fraud, business email compromise, data theft, and other cyber-enabled criminal activity.

Federal authorities stated investigations connected to Operation Riptide remain ongoing as law enforcement agencies continue targeting the infrastructure, operators, facilitators, and financial networks supporting international cybercrime operations.

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