International operation dismantles large-scale fake medicine network

On May 12, a coordinated international operation involving 15 countries dismantled a criminal network responsible for the sale of unlicensed supplements and fake medicines. Supported by Eurojust and Europol, authorities targeted the group, which generated approximately 240 million euros in illegal profits since 2019. Cyprus participated in the investigation through the Office of the Attorney General and the Cyprus Police. The network marketed over 400 unlicensed supplements across the European Union and beyond by operating hundreds of websites and social media accounts. Criminals used fake doctors, celebrity endorsements, and fabricated testimonials to mislead victims, often persuading them to abandon prescribed medical treatments. Law enforcement conducted raids across 113 locations in countries including Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova. The operation resulted in the arrest of key members, the seizure of large stocks of products, and the discovery of a central warehouse in Bulgaria.