Tag: cybercrime
745 articles
Conti Ransomware Member Pleads Guilty to Cybercrimes
A longtime member of the notorious Conti ransomware group has pleaded guilty to cybercrimes in federal court, marking a major win for justice after the defendant's attacks caused millions of dollars in damage to people and businesses worldwide. Oleksii Oleksiyovych Lytvynenko, a 44-year-old Ukrainian national, admitted to developing malware and participating in Conti's ransomware campaign.
Google Disrupts Chinese Smishing Network Tied to AI-Generated Phishing Attacks
Google just took down a massive Chinese smishing network that used AI-generated phishing pages to scam millions of mobile users, and is now suing to dismantle the operation for good. The tech giant is teaming up with major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to block the fraudulent texts and shut down the Phishing-as-a-Service business.
Ukrainian Hacker Pleads Guilty in Conti Ransomware Case
Meet Oleksii Lytvynenko, a Ukrainian hacker who just pleaded guilty to his role in the notorious Conti ransomware case, which targeted over 1,000 victims worldwide and raked in a staggering $150 million in ransom payments. He's now facing up to 20 years in prison for his involvement.
FBI and Europol dismantle major crypto laundering platform
In a major crackdown, the FBI and Europol have dismantled AudiA6, a massive cryptocurrency laundering operation that helped cybercriminals move a whopping $389m in illicit funds between 2022 and 2025. The service was linked to at least 15 ransomware operations and multiple cryptocurrency theft schemes, making it a key player in the digital underworld.
INTERPOL Disrupts Sniper Dz Phishing Platform in Global Operation
In a major global crackdown, INTERPOL dismantled the notorious Sniper Dz phishing platform, a hub for cybercriminals to buy and use ready-made phishing kits, in a coordinated effort that resulted in 201 arrests across 13 countries. The operation, dubbed Operation Ramz, dealt a significant blow to the phishing-as-a-service industry.
Europol Disrupts AudiA6 Crypto-Laundering Service Linked to $380 Million Ransomware Scheme
Europol has dismantled a massive cryptocurrency laundering operation, known as AudiA6, that handled over $380 million in illicit funds for ransomware actors and cybercriminals. The service promised anonymity, but actually took a 3-10% cut to clean and return tainted assets in just an hour.
Interpol Disrupts SniperDz Phishing-as-a-Service Platform
In a major blow to cybercrime, Interpol has dismantled the notorious SniperDz Phishing-as-a-Service platform, a significant player in the global phishing landscape. This success is a testament to the power of cross-border collaboration, with 13 countries joining forces to bring down the operation.
Ransomware Gang 'The Gentlemen' Traced to Suspected Russian Operator
Meet The Gentlemen, a notorious ransomware gang that's rapidly growing in power thanks to its unusually generous 90/10 affiliate revenue split, outshining the industry standard 80/20 and attracting top talent from rival groups. This bold move has catapulted them to become the second most active ransomware group, with over 332 reported victims since mid-2025.
ShinyHunters Breach Exposes 454,600 University of Nottingham Records
The University of Nottingham has confirmed a major data breach, with a notorious cybercriminal group gaining access to a massive 454,600 student records, affecting both current students and alumni. The university is working closely with authorities and experts to investigate the incident and mitigate its impact.
Europe Cracks Down on Illegal Streaming Networks, Arrests 29
Behind the scenes of cheap streaming deals, complex crime networks are at work - but thanks to Operation Kratos 2, 29 alleged cybercriminals have been arrested and nine organized crime groups dismantled. This major crackdown on illegal streaming networks marks a huge win for European law enforcement.
Chinese Hackers Deploy Atlas RAT in Europe With Heightened Cyberattacks
Chinese hackers have significantly ramped up cyberattacks in Europe, with a financially motivated group, tracked as TA4922, launching a high volume of unique campaigns targeting countries including Germany, Italy, and the UK. This surge in activity, which began in March, has been marked by unprecedented diversity in tactics and objectives, including fraud, data theft, and network breaches.
AI-Powered Cybercrime Tools Flood Dark Web Marketplaces
The dark web has seen a staggering 3,810% surge in AI-powered cybercrime tools, with posts skyrocketing from 38 in December to 1,486 in February, signaling a new wave of threats. This alarming trend has experts like Cynthia Kaiser, SVP of the Ransomware Research Center at Halcyon, warning that cyber threats have become the "national security challenge of our lifetime."
Ransomware Operator Flouts Unwritten Rule, Hits Russia
A shocking move by a ransomware operator has sent shockwaves through the cybercrime underworld: they've brazenly targeted Russia, flouting an unwritten rule that's long been observed by hackers. This bold - and some might say, boneheaded - decision has left many in the cybersecurity community scratching their heads.
Malvertising Campaign Targets macOS with FlutterShell Backdoor
Google swiftly suspended advertiser accounts linked to a massive malvertising campaign that spread a new macOS backdoor, known as FlutterShell, after researchers sounded the alarm. The culprits, tracked by Palo Alto Networks as CL-CRI-1089, used hundreds of verified Google ads and a web of shell companies to deceive ad networks.
Cybercriminals, Hacktivists Target 2026 World Cup Infrastructure
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to draw massive crowds of up to six million fans across 104 matches in 16 host cities, making its complex infrastructure a prime target for cyber threats. With its far-reaching network of stadium operations, municipal services, and independent suppliers, the tournament's technical architecture is a vulnerable web waiting to be exploited.
Romanian Hacker Sentenced for Breaching Oregon Govt Network
A Romanian hacker has been sentenced to 56 months in prison for breaking into Oregon's state emergency-management network, stealing sensitive personal data, and selling it to buyers in the US. Catalin Dragomir, 46, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and computer intrusion charges.
Sextortionist sentenced to 33 years for targeting 145 children
A Canadian man has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for running an eight-year sextortion campaign that targeted children as young as six, forcing them to engage in sexually explicit acts during video chats. Ramanan Pathmanathan's heinous crimes involved coercing 145 minors into performing depraved acts, leaving a lasting impact on his young victims.
FBI Report Exposes Surge in Internet Crimes
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report has landed, and it's packed with eye-opening stats on the alarming rise of internet crimes. Get ready to dive into the latest numbers and trends.
FBI Warns of Kali365 Phishing Kit Targeting Microsoft 365 Users
The FBI is sounding the alarm on Kali365, a phishing kit that makes it easy for attackers to target Microsoft 365 users with AI-generated scams, automated templates, and real-time tracking. This powerful tool is lowering the bar for cybercriminals, allowing less tech-savvy attackers to launch sophisticated phishing campaigns.
Canada Arrests Kimwolf DDoS Botnet Operator in US-Led Crackdown
In a major cybercrime crackdown, a 23-year-old Canadian man, Jacob Butler, has been arrested and charged with operating the notorious Kimwolf DDoS botnet, which targeted vulnerable devices like digital photo frames and web cameras. If convicted, Butler faces up to 10 years in prison for aiding and abetting computer intrusion.
Europol Disrupts Major Cybercrime VPN Service
Europol's bold operation has taken down a notorious VPN service used by cybercriminals to hide their tracks, seizing key infrastructure and sowing disruption among ransomware operators, fraudsters, and data thieves. This major win for cybersecurity could lead to further investigations and prosecutions, thanks to the treasure trove of data on thousands of threat actors.
Law Enforcement Disrupts First VPN Service Tied to Ransomware Attacks
In a major cybercrime crackdown, law enforcement agencies have dismantled a notorious VPN service used by ransomware attackers, seizing 33 servers and taking its domains offline in a coordinated operation across 27 countries. The takedown of First VPN, a so-called "no-logs" provider, has dealt a significant blow to threat actors behind ransomware and data theft campaigns.
Ukraine Cracks Down on Infostealer Operator Linked to 28,000 Stolen Accounts
Ukrainian cyberpolice, in collaboration with US law enforcement, have cracked down on an 18-year-old suspect behind a massive infostealer malware campaign that compromised 28,000 accounts, with over 5,800 used for fraudulent activities. The suspect allegedly ran the operation, selling stolen session data from a California online store between 2024 and 2025.
Microsoft Disrupts Cybercrime Service Selling Code-Signing Certificates to Ransomware Gangs
Microsoft has disrupted a notorious cybercrime operation, dubbed Fox Tempest, that sold code-signing certificates to ransomware gangs, allowing them to disguise malware as legitimate Windows software. The operation, which created over 580 fake Microsoft accounts, has been linked to two individuals, John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, who allegedly traded in real, Microsoft-issued code-signing credentials.