Authorities in Europe arrested 29 alleged cybercriminals and took down more than 27,000 illegal streaming URLs that pirated major sporting events, films and TV programming, Europol said Wednesday. The continent-wide collaboration, led by Bulgaria and the European Union’s police agency, allowed authorities to dismantle nine organized crime groups supporting the illicit streaming networks, officials said.…
Tag: arrested
Global Security News
Spanish police arrest individual in connection with data leak from state organizations
The arrested individual is accused of disseminating data from entities such as the State Attorney General’s Office, INCIBE, the National Police, the Civil Guard, and the National Security Council.
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Government & Policy
Sensitive government personnel data posted online, Spanish police arrest suspect
The Spanish National Police arrested a man in Granada for allegedly leaking personal data belonging to members of several sensitive state institutions. According to police, the suspect published the information on multiple online platforms, exposing personnel associated with organizations including the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), the National Security Council, the National Police, the Civil Guard,…
Cybersecurity, Global Security News
Spain arrests doxer leaking sensitive data of govt employees
The Spanish National Police has arrested an individual for leaking sensitive information related to members of various key state organizations, including the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE). […]
Global Security News, Risk Management
Police arrest man following hack of Ajax football club
Dutch police have arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of hacking into the computer systems of Amsterdam football giant Ajax, after the personal data of hundreds of thousands of supporters was put at risk. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Global Security News
Dutch Raid Fails to Dent Russian Bulletproof Host
Dutch law enforcement seized 800 servers and arrested two operators of THE.Hosting but left the hosting provider’s core IP address space intact.
AI, Data Breaches, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Risk Management
Google security engineer accused of turning confidential search trends into $1.2M win on Polymarket
A Google security engineer was arrested in New York and charged with crimes related to bets he allegedly placed on Polymarket using confidential information he pulled from Google systems, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Michele Spagnuolo, a 36-year-old Italian citizen who lives in Switzerland, is accused of placing multiple trades on the prediction marketplace last…
AI, Global Security News
Police arrest suspect in Ajax football club hack that exposed 300,000 fan records
The Dutch National Police arrested a man suspected of hacking into the computer systems of AFC Ajax, a football club from Amsterdam. “On the morning of Tuesday, May 26, detectives arrested a 35-year-old man from the municipality of Buren for computer intrusion at the Amsterdam football club Ajax. The man is suspected of intentionally and…
Global Security News
Dutch police arrests suspect linked to Ajax football club hack
The Dutch National Police arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of hacking the professional football club Ajax Amsterdam (AFC Ajax) earlier this year. […]
AI, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Russia
Netherlands Seizes 800 Servers, Arrests 2 for Aiding Cyberattacks
Authorities in the Netherlands have arrested the co-owners of two related Internet hosting companies for operating IT infrastructure used by Russia to carry out cyberattacks, influence operations and disinformation campaigns inside the European Union. The two men were the focus of a 2025 KrebsOnSecurity story about how their hosting companies had assumed control over the…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Authorities seize 800 servers used for cyberattacks and disinformation
Dutch authorities arrested two men and seized 800 servers linked to a hosting provider that investigators say supported Russian activities aimed at undermining democracy and security through cyberattacks, disinformation, and disruption of public and economic systems. Servers seized by Dutch authorities (Source: FIOD) The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) arrested a 57-year-old man…
Global Security News, Network Security, Russia
Netherlands Busts Bulletproof Hosting Network Linked to Disinformation and Cybercrime
Dutch authorities arrested two suspects after dismantling a bulletproof hosting network linked to cybercrime, disinfo, and Russian sanctions evasion.
AI, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security, Russia
Dutch authorities dismantle hosting network allegedly used for cyberattacks and disinformation
Dutch authorities arrested two suspects and seized 800 servers tied to Stark Industries, a hosting firm linked to cyberattacks and disinformation. Dutch financial crime investigators arrested two men and seized 800 servers connected to Stark Industries, a hosting provider accused of enabling cyberattacks, interference operations, and disinformation campaigns. Authorities said the suspects supported Russian and…
Global Security News
Dutch authorities arrest two in connection with sanctioned web hosting company
The Dutch financial crime investigators (FIOD) arrested a 57-year-old company director and a 39-year-old who headed a separate firm providing internet connectivity.
AI, Global Security News
Netherlands seizes 800 servers of hosting firm enabling cyberattacks
Financial crime investigators in the Netherlands (FIOD) arrested two men and seized 800 servers linked to a web hosting company that enabled cyberattacks, interference operations, and disinformation campaigns. […]
AI, Apps, Global Security News, malware, Network Security
Authorities arrest 23-year-old accused of running the Kimwolf botnet
Canadian authorities arrested a 23-year-old Ottawa man accused of running the Kimwolf DDoS botnet. The US is now seeking extradition. US authorities have charged 23-year-old Jacob Butler (aka “Dort”), an Ottawa resident, for allegedly operating the recently disrupted Kimwolf botnet. Authorities arrested the suspect in Canada, he could face up to 10 years in prison…
Global Security News
Suspected KimWolf botnet admin arrested over DDoS-for-hire operation
U.S. and Canadian authorities arrested and charged a Canadian man accused of operating the KimWolf DDoS botnet, a service linked to attacks that infected more than one million devices worldwide. Jacob Butler, 23, of Ottawa, Canada, also known online as “Dort,” was arrested in Canada under an extradition warrant after U.S. prosecutors charged him with…
Global Security News
US and Canada arrest and charge suspected Kimwolf botnet admin
U.S. and Canadian authorities arrested and charged a Canadian man with operating the KimWolf distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) botnet, which infected nearly two million devices worldwide. […]
AI, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security
Alleged leader of Kimwolf, a sweeping botnet for cybercriminals, arrested in Canada
Authorities arrested and unsealed charges against a Canadian man accused of running Kimwolf, one of the most far-reaching DDoS botnets on record, the Justice Department said Thursday. Jacob Butler was arrested Wednesday in Ottawa, Canada, and awaits extradition to the United States where he is charged with aiding and abetting computer intrusions and, if convicted,…
AI, Apps, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Network Security
Alleged Kimwolf Botmaster ‘Dort’ Arrested, Charged in U.S. and Canada
Canadian authorities on Wednesday arrested a 23-year-old Ottawa man on suspicion of building and operating Kimwolf, a fast spreading Internet-of-Things botnet that enslaved millions of devices for use in a series of massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks over the past six months. KrebsOnSecurity publicly named the suspect in February 2026 after the accused launched a…
AI, Europe, Global Security News, Network Security, Russia
European authorities take down prolific cybercrime VPN service
European authorities took down a prominent virtual private network service and arrested the alleged administrator behind an operation that cybercriminals used to steal data, commit fraud and ransomware attacks, Europol said Thursday. First VPN, which was promoted on Russian-speaking cybercrime forums, gained popularity for providing services that allowed users to hide their infrastructure and identities.…
AI, Global Security News
Europol Seizes First VPN Used by Ransomware Gangs, Arrests Administrator
Europol has seized First VPN, a service used by ransomware gangs, arrested its administrator and gained access to data linked to thousands of users.
Global Security News
INTERPOL ‘Operation Ramz’ seizes 53 malware, phishing servers
More than 200 individuals were arrested for cybercrime activities during INTERPOL’s Operation Ramz, which focused on the Middle East and North Africa. […]
Global Security News
Interpol Launches Sweeping Cybercrime Crackdown in MENA Region
Over 200 people were arrested in an anti-cybercrime operation that spanned 13 countries across the Middle East and North Africa
AI, Europe, Global Security News, Network Security
Police take down relaunched criminal marketplace with 22,000 users, €3.6 million in revenue
German authorities shut down a relaunched version of the criminal marketplace Crimenetwork and arrested its suspected operator. The domain seizure notice (Source: BKA) A special unit of the Spanish National Police arrested the suspected 35-year-old German operator at his residence in Mallorca under a European Arrest Warrant. The suspect is accused of operating criminal trading…
Global Security News, Network Security
Police Shut Relaunched Crimenetwork Dark Web Marketplace
Spanish police have arrested the suspected administrator of German dark web marketplace Crimenetwork
AI, Global Security News, Network Security
Student hacked Taiwan high-speed rail to trigger emergency brakes
A 23-year-old university student in Taiwan was arrested for interfering with the TETRA communication system used by the country’s high-speed railway network (THSR). […]
AI, Global Security News
2026: The Year of AI-Assisted Attacks
On December 4, 2025, a 17-year-old was arrested in Osaka under Japan’s Unauthorized Access Prohibition Act. The young man had run malicious code to extract the personal data of over 7 million users of Kaikatsu Club, Japan’s largest internet cafe chain. When asked, the young man shared his motivation for the hack: he wanted to…
AI, Global Security News
Global Crackdown Arrests 276, Shuts 9 Crypto Scam Centers, Seizes $701M
A coordinated international operation involving U.S. and Chinese authorities has arrested at least 276 suspects and shut down nine scam centers used for cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes targeting Americans, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. The crackdown was led by the Dubai Police, under the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Interior, in partnership…
Global Security News
Police dismantles 9 crypto scam centers, arrests 276 suspects
A joint international operation involving U.S. and Chinese authorities arrested at least 276 suspects and shut down nine cryptocurrency investment fraud centers. […]
Europe, Global Security News
Europol Busts Albanian Scam Call Centers in Major Online Fraud Case
European police arrested 10 suspects after dismantling Albanian scam call centers linked to a €50m ($58m) online investment fraud operation
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Large-scale Roblox hacking operation shut down by Ukrainian authorities
Ukrainian police arrested three hackers who hijacked 610,000 Roblox accounts and sold them for $225,000 in profit. Police in Ukraine arrested three suspects accused of hacking over 610,000 Roblox accounts and selling them for about $225,000. Officers carried out multiple searches in Lviv, seizing cash, phones, computers, laptops, tablets, and USB drives. The operation disrupted…
AI, Global Security News
Hackers arrested for hijacking and selling 610,000 Roblox accounts
The Ukrainian police have arrested three individuals who hacked more than 610,000 Roblox gaming accounts and sold them for a profit of $225,000. […]
Data Breaches, Global Security News
US-Estonian Suspect Arrested Over Alleged Scattered Spider Cyberattacks
US-Estonian suspect Peter Stokes arrested in Finland over alleged ties to Scattered Spider, facing US charges for cyberattacks, fraud, and data breaches.
Global Security News
US reportedly charges Scattered Spider hacker arrested in Finland
A 19-year-old dual United States and Estonian citizen arrested in Finland earlier this month faces federal charges in the U.S. alleging he was a prolific member of the notorious Scattered Spider hacking collective. […]
Global Security News
Canada’s first SMS blaster case leads to three arrests
Canadian law enforcement arrested three men who face 44 charges for operating an SMS blaster device that mimicked a legitimate cellular tower. The device was operated from vehicles, allowing it to move throughout the Greater Toronto Area and operate in multiple locations. When a phone connects to an SMS blaster, the user receives fraudulent text…
Global Security News
Canada arrests three for operating “SMS blaster” device in Toronto
Canadian authorities have arrested three men for operating an “SMS blaster” device that pretends to be a cellular tower to send phishing texts to nearby phones. […]
AI, Data Breaches, Global Security News
Hacker with a special interest in breaching sports institutions ends behind bars
French police have arrested a suspected hacker linked to a series of data breaches affecting organizations in the country. Citing authorities, Le Parisien reported that the suspect, a 20-year-old man using the alias ‘HexDex,’ was taken into custody on April 22, 2026, in the Vendée region, western France. The suspect admitted to using the alias…
AI, Global Security News, Network Security, Risk Management
Operation PowerOFF: 53 DDoS domains seized and 3 Million criminal accounts uncovered
Operation PowerOFF shut down 53 DDoS-for-hire domains, arrested four suspects, and exposed data on over 3 million criminal user accounts. Operation PowerOFF is an international law enforcement action that dismantled 53 domains linked to DDoS-for-hire services used by over 75,000 cybercriminals. Authorities arrested four suspects, seized infrastructure, and gained access to databases containing more than…
AI, Global Security News
Operation PowerOFF Seizes 53 DDoS Domains, Exposes 3 Million Criminal Accounts
An international law enforcement operation has taken down 53 domains and arrested four people in connection with commercial distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) operations that were used by more than 75,000 cybercriminals. The ongoing effort, dubbed Operation PowerOFF, disrupted access to the DDoS-for-hire services, took down the technical infrastructure supporting them, and obtained access to
AI, Global Security News, Network Security
Officials seize 53 DDoS-for-hire domains in ongoing crackdown
Authorities from 21 countries took down 53 domains and arrested four people allegedly involved in distributed denial-of-service operations used by more than 75,000 cybercriminals, Europol said Thursday. The globally coordinated effort dubbed “Operation PowerOFF” disrupted booter services and seized and dismantled infrastructure, including servers and databases, that supported the DDoS-for-hire services, officials said. Law enforcement…
AI, Global Security News
Alleged German DDoS-for-Hire Kingpin Behind Fluxstress Caught in Thailand
Alleged German cybercrime figure behind Fluxstress and Neldowner arrested in Thailand after years running global DDoS-for-hire services across countries.
Global Security News
Seized VerifTools servers expose 915,655 fake IDs, 8 arrested
On April 7 and 8, Dutch police arrested eight suspects in a nationwide operation targeting users of the VerifTools platform as part of an identity fraud investigation. The suspects, all men aged 20 to 34, are accused of identity fraud, forgery, and cybercrime-related offenses. During searches, officers seized smartphones, laptops, cash, cryptocurrency, and weapons or…
Global Security News, Russia
Russia arrests suspected owner of LeakBase cybercrime forum
Russian police arrested a Taganrog resident believed to be the owner of LeakBase, a major online forum used by cybercriminals to buy and sell stolen data and hacking tools. […]
AI, Data Breaches, Global Security News, malware, Russia
Russian authorities arrest alleged LeakBase admin behind stolen data marketplace
Russian authorities arrested the alleged LeakBase admin for running a marketplace selling stolen data since 2021. Russian law enforcement has arrested the suspected administrator of LeakBase, a cybercrime forum used to trade stolen personal data. The suspect, from Taganrog, is accused of running the platform since 2021. During a search of his home, authorities seized…
AI, Global Security News, Russia
LeakBase Admin Arrested in Russia Over Massive Stolen Credential Marketplace
The alleged administrator of the LeakBase cybercrime forum has been arrested by Russian law enforcement authorities, state media reported Thursday. According to TASS and MVD Media, a news website linked to the Russian Interior Ministry, the suspect is a resident of the city of Taganrog. The suspect is said to have been detained for creating…
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security
Interpol – Operation Synergia III leads to 45,000 malicious IPs dismantled and 94 arrests worldwide
INTERPOL dismantled 45,000 malicious IPs and servers and arrested 94 suspects in a global cybercrime operation. INTERPOL announced a global cybercrime operation (codenamed Operation Synergia III) involving 72 countries that dismantled 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers linked to phishing, malware, and ransomware. The international law enforcement operation led to 94 arrests, 110 ongoing investigations,…
AI, Global Security News
Authorities from 14 countries shut down major cybercrime forum LeakBase
Authorities from 14 countries shut down LeakBase, seized its domains and arrested multiple people allegedly involved in the cybercrime marketplace for stolen data and hacking tools, the Justice Department said Wednesday. LeakBase had more than 142,000 members, ranking it among the world’s largest forums for cybercriminals. The site, which was available on the open web,…
Global Security News, Government & Policy
Spain arrests suspected hacktivists for DDoSing govt sites
Spanish authorities have arrested four alleged members of a hacktivist group believed to have carried out cyberattacks targeting government ministries, political parties, and various public institutions. […]
AI, Global Security News, Government & Policy
Spanish police arrest suspected Anonymous members over DDoS attacks on government sites
Spanish police (Guardia Civil) arrested four members of the hacktivist group Anonymous Fénix over DDoS attacks targeting ministries, political parties and public institutions. Police raid (Source: Guardia Civil) Police identified the organization’s leadership, including its administrator and moderator, who were arrested in May 2025 in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) and Oviedo (Asturias). Evidence gathered during…
AI, Global Security News
Luxury hotel stays for just €0.01. Spanish police arrest hacker
Spanish police arrested a 20-year-old hacker accused of booking luxury hotel rooms worth up to €1,000 a night for just one cent before being caught. Spanish police arrested a 20-year-old man in Madrid after allegedly manipulating the online payment system of a travel and hotel booking website to secure luxury hotel stays for just €0.01…
AI, Global Security News
Spanish police say they have arrested hacker who booked luxury hotel rooms for just one cent
Spain’s police force has announced that it has arrested a 20-year-old man who they claim managed to book luxury hotel rooms worth up to €1,000 a night for just one euro cent. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Apps, Global Security News
Police arrests 651 suspects in African cybercrime crackdown
African authorities arrested 651 suspects and recovered over $4.3 million in a joint operation targeting investment fraud, mobile money scams, and fake loan applications. […]
Global Security News
Dutch police arrest man for “hacking” after accidentally sending him confidential files
Police in The Netherlands say they have arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of hacking… after police officers accidentally sent him a link granting him access to their own confidential documents Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
AI, Data Breaches, Europe, Global Security News, Russia
Polish authorities arrest alleged Phobos ransomware affiliate
Polish officials arrested a 47-year-old man accused of participating in ransomware attacks as an affiliate for the Phobos ransomware group, the country’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime said Tuesday. Authorities did not name the man who was arrested during a raid on his apartment in the Małopolskie province, but said he faces up to five…
AI, Data Breaches, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
Polish cybercrime Police arrest man linked to Phobos ransomware operation
Officers from Poland’s Central Bureau of Cybercrime Control (CBZC) police arrested a 47-year-old man linked to the Phobos ransomware operation. Polish authorities arrested a 47-year-old man suspected of involvement in cybercrime and linked him to the Phobos ransomware operation. Police said they discovered evidence of illegal activities on his seized devices. “Officers from the Central…
Global Security News
Man arrested for demanding reward after accidental police data leak
Dutch authorities arrested a 40-year-old man after he downloaded confidential documents that had been mistakenly shared by the police and refused to delete them unless he received “something in return.” […]
Global Security News
Police arrests distributor of JokerOTP password-stealing bot
The Dutch National Police arrested a 21-year-old man from Dordrecht as part of a cybercrime investigation by Team Cybercrime Oost-Brabant. The suspect is believed to have distributed a tool known as JokerOTP, a bot used to intercept one-time passwords (OTPs) used to secure online accounts and financial transactions. Police suspect the Dordrecht resident of selling…
Global Security News, Security
Police arrest seller of JokerOTP MFA passcode capturing tool
The Netherlands Police have arrested a a 21-year-old man from Dordrecht, suspected of selling access to the JokerOTP phishing automation tool that can intercept one-time passwords (OTP) for hijacking accounts. […]
AI, Cybercrime, Department of Justice (DOJ), Exploits, Global Security News, Justice Department, Network Security, The Com
Alleged 764 member arrested, charged with CSAM possession in New York
A 23-year-old New York man allegedly affiliated with 764 was arrested and charged with receiving child sexual abuse material. Aaron Corey of Albany, N.Y., faces up to 20 years in prison for trafficking CSAM during a three-month period ending in December. Corey, also known as “Baggeth,” is accused of running multiple 764-related chats, seeking CSAM…