More than a dozen customers of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) website received a final warning from Dutch authorities, informing them that future cyber violations will result in prosecution.

The warning letters are intended to reduce cybercrime and guide offenders towards legal alternatives to impove their abilities. 

Warning letter

On Monday this week, officials sent letters to 29 Dutch nationals informing them that their criminal activity has been recorded and further transgressions could result in a conviction.

“We have registered you in our system and you will now receive a final warning. If new similar facts arise in the future, we will prosecute. In that case, take into account a conviction, criminal record and the loss of your computer and/or laptop,” saidthe Dutch Police.

All individuals were customers of minesearch.rip, a ‘booter’ websiter that offers customers the possibility to launch DDoS attacks against whoever they choose. 

The police learned about their activity after investigating the website following complaints from a game server that was a victim of a DDoS attack via minesearch.rip

The server helped launch multiple DDoS attacks against dozens of websites in both the public and private sector. The site has since been shut down. 

The 29 letters sent on Monday carry no legal consequences but serve as a last warning to the recipients. 

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