Tag: cybercrime
870 articles
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.
FBI Warns of $388 Million Lost to Crypto ATM Scams
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 13,400 complaints about crypto ATM scams in 2025, with victims losing a staggering $388 million - a 58% jump in losses from the previous year. This alarming trend is part of a broader surge in cybercrime, with over 1 million complaints filed and nearly $21 billion in losses reported last year.
Microsoft Disrupts Fox Tempest's Ransomware-Enabling Code-Signing Service
Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit has successfully disrupted a notorious code-signing service used by cybercriminals, including the group behind Fox Tempest, to create fake IDs and gain easy access to systems. This operation has effectively shut down a key tool used by hackers to spread ransomware and malware.
INTERPOL Disrupts Cybercrime Networks with 'Operation Ramz' Arrests
In a major crackdown on cybercrime, INTERPOL's Operation Ramz has led to over 200 arrests and identified 382 suspects across 13 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, disrupting phishing, malware, and online fraud networks that cost the region dearly. The operation resulted in the seizure of 53 servers and uncovered nearly 8,000 intelligence packages linked to over 3,800 victims.
INTERPOL Disrupts MENA Cybercrime Networks with 201 Arrests
In a major crackdown on cybercrime, INTERPOL's Operation Ramz has led to 201 arrests and identified 382 more suspects across 13 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The operation, which ran from October 2025 to February 2026, dealt a significant blow to malicious cyber networks, also seizing 53 servers and helping 3,867 victims.
ShinyHunters Fuel Surge in Data Leaks
Meet the ShinyHunters, a notorious group behind a surge in public data leaks, who team up with The Com to scam victims out of cloud system access and then hold their data for ransom. This duo's alarming tactic has resulted in a steady stream of sensitive information being dumped into the public domain.
Ransomware Gangs Test Trust with Data Deletion Promises
Can you ever trust a ransomware gang's promise to delete stolen data? The recent Instructure breach has brought this question to the forefront, leaving victims wondering if paying up is worth the risk of broken promises.
Cybercrime Tactics Disrupt $725 Million in Cargo Heists
Cargo thieves are getting smarter, with cybercrime tactics fueling a staggering $725 million in heists across North America in 2025, and experts warn that the true cost may be even higher. This sophisticated game plan typically starts with online snooping, using publicly available info to plot the perfect crime.
US Indicts Suspected Dream Market Admin on Money Laundering Charges
A suspected administrator of the now-defunct Dream Market has been indicted in the US on 12 federal counts of money laundering, with the Department of Justice alleging he used cryptocurrency to buy gold bars and ship them to his home in Germany. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each count.
Police Disrupt Relaunched German-Language Cybercrime Forum
In a major breakthrough, international authorities have shut down a notorious German-language cybercrime forum that had attracted over 22,000 users and 100 vendors peddling stolen data, drugs, and forged documents. A 35-year-old German national was arrested in Mallorca and faces charges for allegedly masterminding the illicit platform.
BWH Hotels Reservation Data Exposed to Cybercrooks
BWH Hotels guests are being warned to stay vigilant after a data breach exposed reservation information to cybercriminals, and customers are urged to watch out for potential phishing scams.
Hackers Leverage AI to Develop Zero-Day Vulnerability
The AI vulnerability race is no longer on the horizon - it's already underway, with hackers leveraging AI to identify and exploit zero-day vulnerabilities, as seen in a recent coordinated operation. Google Threat Intelligence Group has uncovered the first observed case of cybercriminals using AI to produce weaponized code and bypass security protections.
Police Disrupt Relaunched Crimenetwork Dark Web Marketplace
In a major blow to dark web crime, a 35-year-old German citizen was arrested in Mallorca for relaunched Crimenetwork marketplace. He built an entirely new online infrastructure just days after the previous version was shut down.
ShinyHunters Breach Exposes 9,000 Schools in Canvas Hack
A massive data breach has hit Canvas, a popular learning management system, with hackers claiming to have stolen several terabytes of sensitive data, including personal info for 275 million users, from 9,000 schools. The notorious ShinyHunters group is now demanding action, threatening to leak everything if their demands aren't met.
US Duo Sentenced for Hosting Laptop Farms for North Korean IT Workers
The FBI, along with its partners, is cracking down on North Korea's efforts to evade sanctions and fund its regime, with two US nationals recently sentenced to 18 months in prison for running laptop farms that enabled North Korean IT workers to operate remotely. The duo, Matthew Issac Knoot and Erick Ntekereze Prince, were also ordered to pay restitution and forfeit gains made from their scheme.
Crypto Heist Ringleader Gets 6.5 Years for $230 Million Loot
Marlon Ferro, the mastermind behind a brazen crypto heist, has been sentenced to 6.5 years for stealing $230 million in cryptocurrency using a cunning mix of online scams and targeted home invasions. He served as the group's instrument of last resort, carrying out daring residential burglaries to get his hands on valuable digital assets.
Latvian Hacker Sentenced for Role in Former Conti Leaders' Ransomware Extortion Scheme
A Latvian hacker has been sentenced to 8.5 years in federal prison for his role in a massive ransomware extortion scheme that targeted over 54 companies, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Deniss Zolotarjovs, 35, helped former Conti leaders extort payments from victims over a two-year period.
Karakurt Ransomware Operative Sentenced for Extortion Role
Meet Deniss Zolotarjovs, a Latvian national who helped his ransomware gang extort dozens of companies - and even a government entity with a crippled 911 system - by leveraging stolen sensitive data, including children's health information. He's now facing 8.5 years in prison for his role in the Karakurt extortion operation.
Cybersecurity Experts Imprisoned for Ransomware Extortion Scheme
Two American cybersecurity experts, Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a brazen 2023 ransomware campaign that targeted companies across the United States. Their crimes have brought to light the severe consequences of cyberattacks and the importance of protecting businesses from such threats.
Ransomware Negotiator Exposed as Insider for Gang
A shocking case reveals a glaring weakness in ransomware incident response: organizations often put blind trust in single negotiators, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by attackers. This human error, not a technical bug, can turn a trusted role into a gateway for cybercriminals.