17-Year-Old Suspected Cybercriminal Nabbed in UK, Tied to MGM Hack

by do son · July 23, 2024

In the United Kingdom, a 17-year-old youth from Walsall has been detained, suspected of belonging to the notorious cybercriminal group Scattered Spider, which has targeted numerous major organizations with ransomware, including the American entertainment giant MGM Resorts.

Scattered Spider is a cybercriminal organization primarily composed of young individuals who hack into the computer systems of large companies. They employ ransomware to blackmail and extort and also sell access to compromised networks. Recently, the group has increasingly eschewed encryption in their operations, focusing more on data theft and extortion under the threat of releasing confidential information.

The arrest of the British teenager was carried out on July 18 in coordination between the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The suspect is accused of extortion and violating the Computer Misuse Act. Digital devices were found and seized during the search of his home and are now being subjected to forensic examination.

The arrest is part of a global investigation into the activities of the extensive hacker community Scattered Spider, which has attacked numerous well-known companies over the past year. Notably, the apprehension occurred just a month after the arrest of a 22-year-old member of the same group in Spain.

The frequent arrests of Scattered Spider members underscore the seriousness and scale of cybercrime in the modern world. Even young individuals can become involved in intricate criminal schemes, causing significant damage to major corporations.

International cooperation between law enforcement agencies is becoming a crucial element in combating such threats, emphasizing the need for a global approach to ensuring cybersecurity.