Member of international hacker group to stand trial for viral attacks on financial institutions
As a result of the criminal activity of hackers, financial institutions of European countries suffered more than UAH 100 million in losses. Law enforcement officers sent to the court an indictment against a member of the group.
The 29-year-old attacker was exposed by employees of the Cyber Police Department together with the Main Investigation Department of the National Police during an international special operation with law enforcement in the United Kingdom.
The defendant accepted orders for the modification of malware such as encryption viruses, which were used by hacker groups in illegal activities. Once on computer equipment, such programs encrypt information. In the future, attackers demand a ransom for restoring access to data.
Hacker attacks targeted financial institutions in European countries. According to preliminary data, losses reach more than 100 million hryvnias.
In addition, ransomware hackers created so-called “information leak sites”, where they published confidential data of companies that refused to pay ransom for data decryption.
According to the results of computer and technical examinations on the technique of the attacker, hundreds of different malware products were identified, which were modified and encrypted to bypass antivirus programs.
The hacker was informed of the suspicion under Part 1 of Art. 361-1 (Creation for the purpose of use, distribution or sale of malicious software or technical means, as well as their distribution or sale) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The suspect faces up to two years in prison. The pre-trial investigation is completed, the indictment is sent to the court.
Procedural guidance in criminal proceedings is carried out by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine
