Current:Home > MyAuthorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet -Prime Money Path
Authorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet
View
Date:2025-04-16 04:54:52
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! (159)
Related
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Massachusetts man ordered to pay nearly $4M for sexually harassing sober home tenants
- Massachusetts man ordered to pay nearly $4M for sexually harassing sober home tenants
- Maker of popular weedkiller amplifies fight against cancer-related lawsuits
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- From London to Los Angeles, many Iranians overseas cheer, and fear, after president’s death
- Oregon man charged in the deaths of 3 women may be linked to more killings: Authorities
- Sean “Diddy” Combs Sued by Model Accusing Him of Sexual Assault
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Man suffers significant injuries in grizzly bear attack while hunting with father in Canada
Ranking
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Proposed NCAA settlement allowing revenue sharing with athletes faces possible legal hurdle
- Delaware lawmakers OK bill enabling board of political appointees to oversee hospital budgets
- 2024 cicada map: Latest emergence info and where to spot Brood XIX and XIII around the US
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- A woman has died in a storm in Serbia after a tree fell on her car
- The Voice Crowns Season 25 Winner
- UN maritime tribunal says countries are legally required to reduce greenhouse gas pollution
Recommendation
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
A man charged with helping the Hong Kong intelligence service in the UK has been found dead
Politically motivated crimes in Germany reached their highest level in 2023 since tracking began
Will Smith Shares Son Trey's Honest Reaction to His Movies
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Get Ready to Turn Heads: The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Collection Makes Waves on Amazon
Judge dismisses felony convictions of 5 retired military officers in US Navy bribery case
Will America lose Red Lobster? Changing times bring sea change to menu, history, outlook