cybercrime2.655 min read
UK Teen and US Hacker Arrested for Major Cyber Attacks and Extortion Scheme
3 months ago•Source: The Hacker News
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3.085 min•1 year ago
Global Cybercrime Crackdown: Major Botnet Dismantled, Chinese National Charged
US and European authorities have dismantled the "world's largest botnet," responsible for nearly $6 billion in Covid insurance fraud. The operation, codenamed Endgame, led to the arrest of multiple suspects, including Chinese national YunHe Wang, and the seizure of luxury goods and properties. The botnet, active from 2014 to 2022, spread ransomware via infected emails. The coordinated international effort involved actions in several countries and targeted various malware droppers, significantly disrupting the cybercrime ecosystem.
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Ticketmaster Breach: Hackers Claim Data of 560 Million Users for Sale
A hacking group named ShinyHunters claims to have breached Ticketmaster, stealing data for 560 million customers, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and partial credit card details. The Australian government and FBI are investigating the claims, while Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation have not yet commented. ShinyHunters has a history of significant data breaches, and cybersecurity experts warn that such incidents are becoming more frequent and severe. Concurrently, the U.S. Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster for monopolizing the live entertainment industry.
Feds Dismantle World's Largest Botnet, Arrest Administrator
The US and Europe have conducted major operations against cybercrime networks, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of luxury assets. The US arrested Chinese national YunHe Wang, accused of hacking 19 million devices and causing $5.9 billion in losses, while Europol arrested ringleaders in Armenia and Ukraine, taking control of over 2,000 websites. Both operations targeted botnets used for various criminal activities, including fraud and ransomware.
FBI and Europol Dismantle $6bn Cybercrime Empire, Arrest Key Figures
An international law enforcement team has arrested Chinese national Yunhe Wang, disrupting the "911 S5" botnet, which officials say is the world's largest. Wang allegedly ran the botnet for nearly a decade, amassing $99 million by reselling access to criminals for identity theft, child exploitation, and financial fraud, including pandemic relief scams. Authorities seized $29 million in cryptocurrency and linked Wang to $5.9 billion in fraud losses. Wang managed the botnet through 150 servers and used his gains to purchase properties worldwide.
"DOJ Dismantles World's Largest Botnet, Arrests Chinese Operator"
Chinese national YunHe Wang has been arrested for operating the "world's largest botnet," 911 S5, which facilitated billions in cybercrimes, including fraud, child exploitation, and bomb threats. The botnet infected over 19 million IP addresses globally, including 613,000 in the U.S. Wang and his co-conspirators were sanctioned, and authorities seized assets worth $60 million. Wang faces charges that could result in up to 65 years in prison.
"World's Largest Botnet Dismantled, Alleged Chinese Mastermind Arrested"
Authorities have arrested Yunhe Wang, a Chinese national, for allegedly running the world's largest cybercrime botnet, "911 S5," which infected 19 million computers globally and generated $99 million in profits. The botnet was used for identity theft, child exploitation, and financial fraud, including pandemic relief scams, resulting in over $5.9 billion in estimated losses. Wang was arrested in Singapore, and authorities seized $29 million in cryptocurrency.
FBI Dismantles Global Botnet, Arrests Alleged Chinese Mastermind
A 35-year-old Chinese man, Yunhe Wang, has been arrested for allegedly running the "911 S5" botnet, a massive network of malware-infected computers used for identity theft, child exploitation, and financial fraud, including pandemic relief scams. The botnet, which operated for nearly a decade, compromised 19 million computers worldwide and caused over $5.9 billion in estimated losses. Wang reportedly used his illicit profits to purchase properties across multiple countries.
Microsoft's Legal Action Shuts Down Cybercrime Network Storm-1152
Microsoft has obtained a court order to seize the infrastructure of Storm-1152, a cybercrime network that sold approximately 750 million fraudulent Microsoft accounts and tools through bogus websites and social media pages. The group facilitated various cybercrimes, including phishing, identity theft, fraud, and DDoS attacks, and earned millions of dollars in illicit revenue. Multiple threat actors, including Octo Tempest, used Storm-1152's accounts for ransomware, data theft, and extortion schemes. Microsoft identified three individuals based in Vietnam who were involved in developing and maintaining the infrastructure.
"Razzlekhan's Husband Pleads Guilty in $4.5bn Bitcoin Laundering Case"
Heather Morgan and Ilya Lichtenstein, a husband and wife cyber-crime team, have pleaded guilty to attempting to launder $4.5 billion of Bitcoin that Lichtenstein had stolen in a 2016 hack. Morgan, who masqueraded as a rapper and tech entrepreneur, published rap music videos and claimed to be a successful tech businesswoman while trying to cover up her crimes. The couple now face prison sentences, with Lichtenstein potentially facing up to 20 years and Morgan up to 10 years. The successful police operation involved tracking the stolen Bitcoin through the public blockchain ledger and recovering nearly the full amount.
Genesis Market shut down by FBI in global cybercrime bust.
The FBI's Buffalo office confirmed that a raid of a West Side home is connected to the international intelligence operation that seized Genesis Market, a "criminal online marketplace" that sells access to users' email, social media, and bank accounts. The cybercriminal platform took sensitive data from malware-infected computers and sold it on the dark web. The FBI and worldwide partners successfully shut down Genesis Market, and any user logging onto the website encountered a message: "Operation Cookie Monster. This website has been seized." The FBI asks anyone active on the market or in contact with administrators, or those who have been victimized, to email [email protected].
FBI and police shut down major cybercrime forums and marketplaces.
The FBI and international law enforcement agencies have arrested over 100 people in a global crackdown on Genesis Market, an invitation-only cybercrime forum that facilitated large-scale identity theft. The forum offered data stolen from 1.5 million computers around the world containing login details for more than 80 million user accounts. The FBI seized the web domains of Genesis Market and dubbed the takedown as “Operation Cookie Monster.” The crime forum grew out of research that hackers did on anti-fraud technologies used by hundreds of banks and payment systems. This is the latest in a series of international law enforcement stings against cybercrime forums.