Current:Home > MyAuthorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet -Elevate Capital Network
Authorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet
View
Date:2025-04-17 11:28:31
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! (2561)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- New York Mayor Adams says 1993 sexual assault allegation detailed in new lawsuit ‘did not happen’
- LeBron James, JJ Redick team up for basketball-centric podcast
- Drew Lachey Weighs In On Brother Nick Lachey's Love Is Blind Hosting Gig
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Gangs unleash new attacks on upscale areas in Haiti’s capital, with at least a dozen killed nearby
- Shakira Reveals If a Jar of Jam Really Led to Gerard Piqué Breakup
- US marriages surpass 2 million for first time in years as divorce rates decline: CDC
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- The history of Irish emigration, and the pride of the Emerald Isle
Ranking
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Dr. Dre says he had 3 strokes while in hospital for brain aneurysm: Makes you appreciate being alive
- Princess Kate sightings fail to quell speculation about her health after photo editing scandal
- NCAA hit with another lawsuit, this time over prize money for college athletes
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Peter Navarro must report to federal prison today after Chief Justice John Roberts rejects bid to delay sentence
- 'Rust' armorer requests new trial following involuntary manslaughter conviction
- Retired Belarusian hockey player Konstantin Koltsov dies in Florida at 42
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Feds propose air tour management plan for Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada and Arizona
Clemson University sues the ACC over its grant of media rights, exit fees
Brooklyn teen stabbed to death for rejecting man's advances; twin sister injured: reports
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
Oprah Winfrey Influenced Me To Buy These 31 Products
Gardening bloomed during the pandemic. Garden centers hope would-be green thumbs stay interested
How Bruce Willis' Family Is Celebrating His 69th Birthday Amid Dementia Battle