The Europol Podcast

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  How online fraud schemes are becoming a growing threat 31.07.2026 45min

  Fraud schemes represent the fastest-growing area of organised crime. Online fraud schemes (OFS) networks target both individuals and organisations, operating as highly efficient and transnational industries. These networks employ a range of logistical, technical, and financial operations to perpetrate large-scale fraud.With the increasing adoption of generative AI, fraudsters can now personalise social engineering techniques, making them more convincing and dangerous.Online fraud schemes are one of the key threats highlighted in our annual Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA). To find out more, tune in to this episode where Europol experts discuss this growing threat. Speakers:Jorge Rosal Cosano, Head of Team, EuropolLearn more:Report: Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA)The scam-aware mindset: simple habits to stay protectedSocial engineering: when trust is exploited
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  How ransomware is evolving 31.07.2026 44min

  Ransomware continues to pose a dominant threat across the EU. Criminal actors persist in exploiting vulnerabilities in the digital supply chain and are increasingly employing social engineering techniques. Moreover, they are evolving through the use of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) to adapt their platforms and launch new services.Ransomware is one of the key threats highlighted in our annual Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA). To find out more, tune into this episode on this growing threat, as well as the blurring between hybrid actors and cybercriminals, as told by Europol experts. Speakers:Michaël De Laet, Head of Team, EuropolLearn more:Report: Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA)Tips & advice to prevent ransomware from infecting your electronic devices
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  How CSAM offenders are adapting to new technology 31.07.2026 43min

  Offenders involved in child sexual exploitation are swiftly adapting to new technologies, broadening their criminal activities, increasing opportunities for abuse, and making the exchange of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) more efficient and lucrative. The exploitation of AI and E2EE platforms by these offenders, as well as by online extortion communities, presents serious threats to children and society at large.CSAM is one of the key threats highlighted in our annual Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA). To find out more, tune in to this episode on the new technologies and monetisation of CSAM, as told by our Europol experts.Speakers:Danny van Althuis, Head of Team, EuropolLearn more:Report: Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA)Europol's work on threats against minorsHelp4U portal
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  How cybercrime enablers are facilitating crime 31.07.2026 53min

  In the rapidly evolving cybercrime landscape, a wide variety of enablers facilitate illicit activities. These range from resilient dark web marketplaces, the use of cryptocurrencies as payment methods, to multi-layered infrastructures designed to avoid detection. These enablers are becoming increasingly resilient, adaptable, and sophisticated.Cybercrime enablers are one of the key threats highlighted in our annual Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA). To find out more, tune in to this episode on the intricacies of cybercrime enablers, as told by our Europol experts. Speakers:Edvardas Šileris, Head of the European Cybercrime Centre, EuropolMarijn Schuurbiers, Head of Unit, EuropolLearn more:Report: Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA)
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  The future of Europol 18.12.2025 31min

  The DNA of organised crime is evolving, and so is Europol. In this episode, you'll find out which direction Europol is heading in and how the EU’s agency for law enforcement cooperation is staying one step ahead of criminal networks. Tune in to discover why and how the EU is doubling Europol’s resources, how Europol is expanding its global reach, and what that means for Europol’s operations and for you. This is the fifth episode of season 3 of The Europol Podcast. Subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform and follow Europol on social media to be notified when future episodes are released. Speakers:Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Catherine De Bolle, Europol Executive Director. Jürgen Ebner, Deputy Executive Director of Europol, Governance Directorate. Tamara Schotte, Head of Analysis & Strategic Coordination Unit at Europol.
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  How crime is accelerated by AI 24.06.2025 33min

  Artificial Intelligence is turbocharging organised crime, but how exactly? In this episode of The Europol Podcast, we reveal how organised crime is accelerating as it becomes increasingly efficient, as harnessing AI allows criminal networks to better target more people, faster and more accurately. You will hear from law enforcement experts across the EU, all based at Europol HQ, about the latest trends in cybercrime: online child sexual exploitation and abuse material, ransomware, crime-as-a-service, and AI’s role as an enabler. Speakers: Andrei Linta, Deputy Executive Director of Capabilities at Europol. Edvardas Sileris, Head of the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) at Europol. Tamara Schotte, Head of Analysis & Strategic Coordination Unit at Europol. Marijn Schuurbiers, Head of Operations in the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol. Danny Van Althuis, Head of the Analysis Project Twins at Europol.
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  How crime is nurtured online 10.06.2025 31min

  Online fraud is increasing in scale, diversity and sophistication, at a pace we have never seen before. From investment fraud to cyberattacks, to get people’s money and data, to the laundering of this criminal money via cryptocurrencies, the entire life cycle of crime takes place online. The Internet is the criminal theatre of today, as almost all serious and organised crime has a digital footprint. In this instalment of The Europol Podcast, we uncover the digital criminal underworld to find out how crime is nurtured online.Speakers Burkhard Mühl, Head of the European Financial and Economic Crime Centre (EFECC) at Europol. Tamara Schotte, Head of Analysis & Strategic Coordination Unit at Europol. Marijn Schuurbiers, Head of Operations in the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol. Sebastian Bley, Head of the Serious Fraud team at Europol.
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  How criminal networks destabilise the EU 20.05.2025 28min

  Serious and organised crime is not just a threat to public safety; it impacts the very foundations of the EU and its society. It has a double destabilising effect on the EU. It undermines the EU’s economy, rule of law and society by generating illicit proceeds, spreading violence, and normalising corruption.But the threat does not stop there: increasingly, criminal networks serve as proxies for hybrid threat actors, exploiting vulnerabilities to destabilise the EU and its Member States from within. Drugs, firearms trafficking, hybrid threats and organised criminal networks recruiting young people to carry out acts of violence, including contract killings. These are a few examples which we will explore in this episode, to find out how serious and organised crime is destabilising the EU.
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  The changing DNA of crime 06.05.2025 18min

  The battle against serious and organised crime is no longer fought in the streets, but in cyberspace, in artificial intelligence labs, dark-web markets, and the shadows of geopolitics. The very DNA of organised crime is changing. It is growing, evolving and becoming more dangerous.In this episode, you'll learn about the transformation of organised crime, as identified in Europol's flagship report, the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA). You'll hear how the EU is responding to those new threats both strategically and operationally.This is the first episode of season 3 of The Europol Podcast. Subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform and follow Europol on social media to be notified when future episodes are released.
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  The Europol Podcast - Season 3 25.04.2025 1min

  This season, we shine a light on the changing DNA of serious and organised crime. We will explore the biggest threats facing our internal security, revealing Europol’s analysis, the biggest operations we have supported, and how we continue to fight crime. Tune in to find out how criminal networks are adapting to new technologies, as told by law enforcement experts that take decisive action against criminal networks worldwide.
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  Bonus episode: 25 years of putting people at the centre 12.12.2024 19min

  This bonus episode of The Europol Podcast marks the Agency’s 25th anniversary and was recorded during a panel discussion held at Europol HQ. What has changed in the law enforcement landscape since Europol started out as the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation? In this episode, we take you on a journey through Europol’s history, from 1999 – today, as told by those at the helm of the organisation. You will hear from Jürgen Storbeck, Max-Peter Ratzel, Sir Rob Wainwright and our Executive Director Catherine De Bolle, on the biggest cases of their time, and how Europol became the nerve centre of criminal intelligence that it is today.
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  Making Europe Safer 25.06.2024 31min

  Most episodes of this podcast talk about cases. We’ve spoken about taking down terrorist propaganda, thwarting cybercrime operations, intercepting ton after ton of drug shipments, and all kinds of other high-stakes, global, police operations. But behind all these cases is weeks and months of analysis, research, and innovation. At Europol HQ, there are entire departments dedicated solely to finding trends and innovations that will make investigations more effective. This is one of Europol’s core services to police in the EU Member States – providing a platform for innovation, technological research, and the sharing of methods and data. In this episode, we will look at some of the innovations that have been happening at Europol in recent years, and how these have translated into real, operational results. Speakers:Julia, Head of the Operational Analysis Centre, EuropolDanny, Investigator at EuropolCatherine De Bolle, Executive Director of EuropolLinks:EU Most Wanted: https://eumostwanted.eu/Trace an Object: https://www.europol.europa.eu/stopchildabuseTrace an Object Australia: https://www.accce.gov.au/what-we-do/trace-an-objectFBI Endangered Child Alert Programme: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap
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  Jamming The Printers 11.06.2024 31min

  Technology is changing the way terrorists think and how they plan their attacks. One emerging threat is the world of 3D-printed weapons. 3D-printed weapons are fully-functioning firearms, made using 3D-printing technology that is available to civilians and can be used at home.In this episode of The Europol Podcast, we shed light on how terrorists are exploiting this technology, and what Europol and our partners are doing to keep Europe safe. 
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  Fighting International Fugitives 28.05.2024 27min

  High-risk individual criminals pose some of the biggest threats to Europe’s security. Three leaders of the Kinahan Cartel, a dangerous transnational criminal organisation, were designated as High Value Targets by Europol, with the United States Department of State putting out a reward for their arrest. In this episode of The Europol Podcast, Europol and the An Garda Síochána will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we take action against international fugitives, in this case the Kinahan Cartel.
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  Targeting Dark Finances 12.03.2024 29min

  Economic and financial crime is becoming more complex. Law enforcement are responding in kind by investing in asset recovery; the practice of finding and seizing cash and assets gained through criminal activities. In this instalment of The Europol Podcast, we go behind a case that saw the French Gendarmerie team up with Europol in a massive international fraud case.
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  Sinking Drug Shipments 27.02.2024 27min

  Organised crime networks are always adapting their methods, trying to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. This is especially true for their illegal shipments; drugs, counterfeits and other illicit goods are constantly being uncovered and intercepted by law enforcement in unexpected places. One of the key avenues criminals exploit in their logistics is maritime ports. Join law enforcement, academics and Europol analysts for this episode of The Europol Podcast, where we look at Europe’s ports and how they are fighting organised crime. 
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  Halting People Smugglers 13.02.2024 26min

  In 2016, at the height of the European Migrant Crisis, a terrible tragedy struck when reckless criminal actions cost 71 innocent lives. When authorities found the victims, police sprang into action to find those responsible and bring them to justice.In this episode of The Europol Podcast, Europol and authorities from Hungary and Austria tell the story of the Burgenland Corpses Discovery, one of Europe’s most tragic migrant smuggling cases.
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  Cracking Down on Cartels 30.01.2024 23min

  In the late 2010s, Europol collaborated with police in Europe, Asia, South America and the United States as part of Operation Familia. The operation targeted a Balkan cartel who were shipping vast amounts of cocaine to the European Union, using new methods that marked them out as a sophisticated criminal network. By the end of the operation, over a tonne of cocaine and millions of euros would be seized by law enforcement. In this episode of The Europol Podcast, Europol and the DEA will give you a behind-the-scenes look at Operation Familia, one of Europol’s biggest cocaine trafficking investigations. 
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  Countering Online Terrorist Propaganda 16.01.2024 26min

  When the world was confronted with the rise of so-called Islamic State, a core component of the terrorists’ strategy relied on propaganda. Their aim was to spread their violent ideology and radicalise people around the world. Brutal imagery went from the battlefield to the news feed, glorifying the terroristic acts of IS; law enforcement had to take action to counter the spread of jihadist terrorist content online. In this episode, you’ll learn about Europol’s investigation into the propaganda network of the so-called Islamic State. From the first day of the investigation until final action days, let Europol agents, EU police and global crime experts take you inside this major counter terrorism operation.
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  The Europol Podcast - Season 2 21.12.2023 1min

  We are back for a second season. Tune in to find out how we continue to fight crime, as told by law enforcement experts that take decisive action against criminal networks worldwide. Available in January 2024.