Current:Home > MyAuthorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet -SecureNest Finance
Authorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet
View
Date:2025-04-17 02:02:43
WASHINGTON (AP) — An international law enforcement team has arrested a Chinese national and disrupted a major botnet that officials said he ran for nearly a decade, amassing at least $99 million in profits by reselling access to criminals who used it for identity theft, child exploitation, and financial fraud, including pandemic relief scams.
The U.S. Department of Justice quoted FBI Director Christopher Wray as saying Wednesday that the “911 S5” botnet — a network of malware-infected computers in nearly 200 countries — was likely the world’s largest.
Justice said in a news release that Yunhe Wang, 35, was arrested May 24. Wang was arrested in Singapore, and search warrants were executed there and in Thailand, the FBI’s deputy assistant director for cyber operations, Brett Leatherman, said in a LinkedIn post. Authorities also seized $29 million in cryptocurrency, Leatherman said.
Cybercriminals used Wang’s network of zombie residential computers to steal “billions of dollars from financial institutions, credit card issuers and accountholders, and federal lending programs since 2014,” according to an indictment filed in Texas’ eastern district.
The administrator, Wang, sold access to the 19 million Windows computers he hijacked — more than 613,000 in the United States — to criminals who “used that access to commit a staggering array of crimes that victimized children, threatened people’s safety and defrauded financial institutions and federal lending programs,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in announcing the takedown.
He said criminals who purchased access to the zombie network from Wang were responsible for more than $5.9 billion in estimated losses due to fraud against relief programs. Officials estimated 560,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims originated from compromised IP addresses.
Wang allegedly managed the botnet through 150 dedicated servers, half of them leased from U.S.-based online service providers.
AP AUDIO: Authorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet
Authorities have arrested a man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet. AP’s Lisa Dwyer reports.
The indictment says Wang used his illicit gains to purchase 21 properties in the United States, China, Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and St. Kitts and Nevis, where it said he obtained citizenship through investment.
In its news release, the Justice Department thanked police and other authorities in Singapore and Thailand for their assistance.
veryGood! (43136)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- 'Most Whopper
Recommendation
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Bodycam footage shows high
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch