Two suspects have been arrested in Romania during an investigation into a bogus ‘murder for hire’ website used by a Lynn woman in 2022.

Helen Hewlett attempted to hire a hitman on the Online Killers Marketplace website to kill a former colleague after their fling came to an end.

The following year, the then-44-year-old was jailed for seven and a half years after being found guilty of soliciting murder and stalking Paul Belton.

Having worked with him at Hain Daniels food factory and Kinnerton Confectionery in Fakenham, Hewlett turned to the dark web in 2022 after their relationship ended.

Now, an investigation into the Online Killers Marketplace has led to simultaneous search warrants being carried out by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and the Romanian Police Cybercrime Unit on January 14.

The scam website claimed to facilitate criminal activities, including the hiring of hitmen and extortion.

While none of the services offered were genuine, successful prosecutions – including that of Hewlett – have been pursued by police forces against individuals attempting to use the site to cause harm to others, and intended victims have been safeguarded across the world.

In August 2022, Norfolk Police were alerted to a post on the Online Killers Marketplace site – an advert asking for “someone to kill in Norfolk” and that it was “vital that it looks like an accident” – and arrested Hewlett.

A trial at Norwich Crown Court heard that she had paid more than £17,000 in cryptocurrency to hire a hitman.

Hewlett was sentenced to a total of 12.5 years for soliciting the murder of Mr Belton and three months for stalking, to be served concurrently, consisting of seven and a half years to be served in prison and five years on an extended licence period.

The latest activity was led by ERSOU’s cyber, dark web and digital forensic teams and was focused on identifying any suspects thought to be in charge of the website and linked to payments derived from it.

Search warrants were carried out at three properties in Bucharest and Ramnicu Valcea, and were also supported and assisted by partner agencies, including the National Crime Agency and Europol.

The activity led to the seizure of US cryptocurrency worth at least $600,000, as well as cash, which included almost 50,000 euros, and Romanian currency worth around £48,000.

The suspects, aged 33 and 35, are currently released under investigation in Romania, subject to further enquiries and charging decisions.

ERSOU officials say they are continuing to work with international partners to take down network infrastructure connected to the site.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Pereira said: “This was a complex and far‑reaching investigation, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the staff and teams whose hard work made this operation possible.

“The coordinated efforts between our cyber, dark web and digital forensics teams, the NCA, and Europol were instrumental in enabling us to take decisive action against those suspected of running this fraudulent website and protecting potential victims from harm.

“The crucial support provided by our colleagues in Romania was also invaluable, allowing us to carry out simultaneous search warrants across multiple locations and seize significant assets linked to this criminal enterprise.”