Tag: law enforcement
393 articles
UK Hacker Behind The Com Network Sentenced for Abuse of 117 Victims
Justin Swaddle, a 20-year-old UK man, has been sentenced to two years in prison for terrorizing 117 vulnerable victims worldwide with online abuse, forcing them to perform shocking acts of self-harm and sexual activity for his own twisted online popularity. He must also register as a sex offender.
ICE Expands Access to Credit Card Records for Fraud, Security Probes
Investors are sounding the alarm over a new ICE contract with Thomson Reuters Special Services, which for the first time includes voter fraud investigations, and are demanding clarity on the agreement. The contract aims to provide ICE with easy access to credit card records to tackle voter fraud, immigration fraud, and national security threats.
US Lawmakers Scrutinize Scam-Fighting Coordination
US lawmakers are pushing for better coordination in scam-fighting efforts, calling for a unified leader to tackle the issue with the urgency of a combat operation. Currently, there's no single entity in charge across agencies, leaving scam networks to easily relocate and evade enforcement.
Ransomware Kingpin Silnikau Gets 16 Years in Prison
In a major win for cybersecurity, Maksim Silnikau, the mastermind behind the notorious Ransom Cartel ransomware operation, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in wreaking havoc on victims worldwide. The Belarusian national was brought to justice through a collaborative effort between US and Polish authorities.
UK Police Expose Victim Data to Stalker, Regulator Warns
When victims share their most sensitive information with the police, they trust that it will be kept safe - but in two shocking data breaches, the Metropolitan Police Service let that trust down, putting a stalking victim's new address and number at risk. The incidents have sparked a stern warning from regulators about the force's handling of sensitive information.
Australia's Democracy Tests Boundary Between Protest and Coercion
A joint counterterrorism team is investigating a shocking vandalism attack on Melbourne's Lovitt Technologies as a potential act of terrorism linked to far-left extremists with anarchist and revolutionary ideologies. The incident has sparked a broader probe with significant implications for Australian democracy.
UK Police Database Breach Exposes Officer Data on Dark Web
A sensitive police database has been breached, putting the personal details of police officers, staff, and justice professionals at risk after being published on the dark web. The breach, detected on July 26, exposed names, work email addresses, and organizations, but thankfully, no passwords or security credentials were compromised.
ExfilSquad Breach Exposes Data of 100,000 UK Police Officers
A massive data breach has hit the UK police force, with a hacking group claiming to have stolen sensitive information from over 100,000 officers, including names, organizations, and email addresses. The breach, attributed to ExfilSquad, has left thousands of police personnel and government partners vulnerable to potential identity theft and harassment.
PNLD Breach Reveals U.K. Police and Government Contacts on Dark Web
A recent PNLD data breach has exposed sensitive contact information of U.K. police, government officials, and customers on the dark web, including names, work email addresses, and organisation details. The breach could make it easier for scammers to craft convincing phishing messages targeting law enforcement officers.
US Prosecutes Man for Using Phone Wipe Feature at Border
A man is facing prosecution for using his phone's wipe feature at the border, specifically with GrapheneOS, a custom Android operating system that prioritizes security. He provided border officials with a code that deliberately erased his phone's contents, sparking a criminal charge.
Vandalism Targets Flock Cameras, Backfires with Arrest
In a case of payback, a vandal who targeted Flock cameras in Monterey County has been arrested and will face the consequences, sending a strong message that damaging public safety equipment won't be tolerated. The suspect, 40-year-old Marcus Bee, caused thousands of dollars in damage before being taken into custody.
Axon Expands License Plate Surveillance Reach
Municipalities like Denver, Colorado, are taking a closer look at their license plate surveillance systems, making changes that have some questioning whether they're simply swapping one brand for another or making a meaningful shift. Denver is among the cities ditching Flock license-plate reader arrays, but is this a cosmetic change or a step towards reevaluating surveillance priorities?
FBI Warns of AI-Powered Vulnerability Exploits
The FBI is sounding the alarm on a new threat: AI-powered vulnerability exploits that can target the very foundation of our digital infrastructure, including operating systems, security, web infrastructure, and encryption. This emerging threat has the potential to revolutionize the way law enforcement approaches cybersecurity.
Cognyte Unveils Mobile Cell Surveillance Tech
Meet FalcoNet, a game-changing mobile cell-site simulator that can be easily deployed from a vehicle, backpack, or even helicopter, allowing law enforcement to track nearby phones and stay one step ahead. This innovative tech from Cognyte can mimic a mobile phone tower, forcing phones in range to connect and reveal valuable information.
Europol Disrupts The Com's Online Ecosystem with 4,340 URL Takedowns
In a major crackdown, Europol and its partners have taken down 4,340 URLs linked to The Com, a notorious online network accused of radicalizing young people and facilitating illicit activity. This coordinated effort is part of a broader mission to protect vulnerable youth and disrupt the online ecosystem of recruiters and extortionists.
Encryption Debate Intensifies as Governments Target End-to-End Security
Limiting end-to-end encryption would have far-reaching and devastating effects on cybersecurity, commerce, and government operations. Governments worldwide are pushing laws to restrict this vital security measure, sparking a heated debate about the future of online protection.
Law Enforcement Disrupts Kratos Phishing Kit Targeting Microsoft 365 Sessions
In a major win for cybersecurity, law enforcement agencies have dismantled the notorious Kratos Phishing Kit, pulling over 200 servers offline and disrupting thousands of phishing campaigns targeting Microsoft 365 sessions. The operation, coordinated with Indonesian authorities, is estimated to have impacted around 1,800 paying customers who were using Kratos to run approximately 15,000 phishing campaigns monthly.
Flock Cameras Expose License Plate Tracking Flaws
A simple typo in a police report led to a writer's mistaken identity, tracking, and arrest - highlighting a glaring flaw in Flock camera's license plate tracking technology. The AI system failed to catch a small numeric discrepancy, matching a partial plate entry to a completely different vehicle.
UK Police Chiefs Push for Cybercrime Risk Orders After TfL Hack
The UK's National Crime Agency has hailed a major cybercrime case as its most complex investigation to date, after two men were jailed for their role in the massive TfL hack, and is now calling for new powers to tackle the growing threat of cybercrime. The case has sparked renewed demands for Cybercrime Risk Orders to help manage and mitigate cyber risk.
Dutch Police Disrupts €100 Million Investment Fraud Ring
Dutch police have cracked down on a massive €100 million investment fraud ring, arresting multiple suspects, including a 46-year-old Israeli-Polish national with a notorious hacking past. The international sweep resulted in detentions across Cyprus, Greece, and Belgium, with authorities vowing to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.
US Charges Russian Nationals for Bulletproof Hosting Services
US authorities have charged three Russian nationals with operating illicit bulletproof hosting services that enabled cybercrime, affecting victims across 21 states, including banks, schools, hospitals, and media companies. The accused, Aleksandr Volosovik, Yulia Pankova, and Kirill Zatolokin, allegedly facilitated a range of malicious activities through their services.
UK Man Jailed for Inciting Swatting Attacks Globally
A Welsh man has been jailed for encouraging swatting attacks worldwide, a stark reminder that this so-called prank can have deadly consequences. Callum Dare, 26, played a key role in a dark web forum, fueling a campaign of harassment and terror that spanned three countries.
UK Authorities Charge Five in Russian Coms Fraud Crackdown
In a major crackdown on Russian Coms Fraud, UK authorities have charged five individuals linked to a notorious platform that enabled scammers to hide their identities and swindle victims by impersonating trusted institutions. The platform, shut down in 2024, had been facilitating these deceitful calls since 2020.
Chinese and Indian Spies Target Pakistani Police Systems
Suspected Chinese and Indian spies launched a targeted attack on Pakistani police systems, specifically focusing on the Balochistan Police, between February 2024 and April 2026. The intrusion campaigns compromised sensitive data, including biometric records, criminal case files, and national identity information.