Rudolph Angler European authorities have shut down Matrix, an encrypted messaging app described as “made by criminals for criminals.” Europol reported that Matrix served as a secure platform for serious criminal activities.
Discovered on a criminal’s phone tied to a Dutch journalist’s 2021 murder, Matrix operated on invitation-only access. The service ran across 40 servers in multiple countries, charging users €1,300 to €1,600 for a six-month subscription. It offered features like video calls, transaction tracking, and anonymous internet browsing.
Authorities monitored Matrix for three months, deciphering over 2.3 million messages in 33 languages. Europol linked these intercepted messages to crimes including international drug and arms trafficking, as well as money laundering.
Multi-Country Operation Targets Sophisticated Criminal Networks
The operation, involving the Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Italy, and Spain, led to significant seizures and arrests. Authorities confiscated €145,000 in cash and half a million euros in cryptocurrencies. Arrests occurred in France and Spain, with homes searched in Lithuania. Main servers were dismantled in France and Germany.
Matrix follows similar takedowns of encrypted platforms like Ghost, Exclu, and EncroChat. Criminals increasingly use smaller, specialized service providers and advanced technologies to evade detection, Dutch police noted.
“Serious criminals wrongly believe they can still operate in secret,” police warned, emphasizing the growing sophistication of cross-border enforcement.