FBI Seizes RAMP, a Notorious Online Criminal Marketplace
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized the dark web and clear web sites of RAMP, a predominantly Russian-language online bazaar that billed itself as the only place ransomware was allowed, on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, according to Ars Technica. The takedown aimed to combat the growing threat of ransomware targeting critical infrastructure and organizations worldwide.
Visitors to both sites were met with pages stating that the FBI had taken control of the RAMP domains, which mirrored each other, Ars Technica reported. RAMP had become one of the few remaining online crime forums operating with impunity, especially after the takedown of other forums like XSS, whose leader was arrested last year by Europol. The closure of these other forums left RAMP as one of the leading platforms for cybercriminals.
In other news, award-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda reported that her TikTok account had been permanently banned, days after the social media platform was acquired by new investors in the United States, according to Al Jazeera. Owda, who has 1.4 million followers and is a contributor to Al Jazeera's AJ from Gaza, shared a video on her Instagram and X accounts on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, informing her followers of the ban.
Meanwhile, Turkish authorities detained six people suspected of spying for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Euronews reported. The suspects allegedly monitored military facilities and other strategic sites across the country. Security forces conducted simultaneous raids in five provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara, following a joint investigation by the counter-terror department and Turkey's intelligence agency, state-run TRT television reported. The suspects, including an Iranian citizen, were taken into custody. These arrests occurred amid heightened regional tensions over potential US military action against Iran.
In European political news, Danish MEP Henrik Dahl wrote in an opinion article for Euronews that Europe lacks key military capabilities, especially independent command, intelligence, and digital infrastructure, most of which are still provided by the US.
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