Ransomware Crackdown: Police Take Down 60 Malware Servers, Arrest Warrants Issued for 20 Suspects
By Netvora Tech News
A major international operation has taken down 60 malware servers, including 300 servers worldwide, and issued arrest warrants for 20 suspects accused of perpetrating ransomware attacks. The operation, which involved law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, targeted malware variants such as Bumblebee, Lactrodectus, Qakbot, DanaBot, Trickbot, and Warmcookie.
These "initial access malware" variants can steal sensitive data from infected systems and install additional malware, allowing ransomware groups to gain access to networks and deploy their malicious software. Ransomware gangs often use this malware to breach networks and then roll out their ransomware.
International Effort Results in Significant Arrests and Seizures
As part of the operation, German authorities issued international arrest warrants for 20 suspects, while the US Department of Justice indicted 17 individuals. In the US, authorities seized financial assets belonging to a Qakbot malware suspect, as well as 3.5 million euros in cryptocurrency.
Stan Duijf, head of Operations High Tech Crime at the Netherlands' Landelijke Opsporing en Interventies, emphasized the success of the operation, saying, "The fight against cybercrime is a constant cat-and-mouse game where we're happy to play the role of the cat. This operation sends a strong signal that no one is beyond reach, not even online."
Bullet Points
- 60 malware servers taken down worldwide
- 300 servers offline globally
- 650 domain names seized
- 20 international arrest warrants issued
- 17 US individuals indicted
- Financial assets and 3.5 million euros in cryptocurrency seized
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