Spain Arrests Hackers Who Targeted Politicians and Journalists
The Spanish police have made a significant arrest in the ongoing battle against cybercrime, targeting individuals who allegedly hacked into high-ranking government officials and journalists. The two suspects were taken into custody yesterday at their homes in the province of Las Palmas, marking another successful operation by Spanish authorities to combat data theft and national security threats.
The investigation began when agents detected a leak of personal data affecting various state institutions across mass communication channels and social networks. This sensitive information was linked directly to politicians, members of central and regional governments, as well as media professionals. The police have described the two suspects as a "serious threat to national security" who targeted these high-profile individuals with malicious intent.
The first suspect is believed to specialize in data exfiltration, while the second managed the financial aspects by selling access to databases, credentials, and holding cryptocurrency wallets that received the funds. The investigation revealed that this duo operated a sophisticated scheme to build notoriety and inflate the selling price of the stolen data.
During the raids on their homes, the police confiscated a large number of electronic devices that may lead to more incriminating evidence, buyers, or co-conspirators. This latest arrest is part of Spain's ongoing efforts to track down high-profile cybercriminals and dismantle networks involved in data theft and other malicious activities.
In recent years, Spanish police have had notable successes in arresting prominent cybercriminals. In February this year, they took down a hacker who was believed to have breached the Guardia Civil, Ministry of Defense, NATO, U.S. Army, and various universities worldwide. Last June, a British suspect linked to the notorious Scattered Spider hacking group was arrested in Palma de Mallorca for his alleged role in attacks on 45 U.S. companies.
Earlier this year, December 2023 saw the Spanish police arrest the alleged leaders of the 'Kelvin Security' hacking group, which is believed to have carried out 300 cyberattacks against organizations in 90 countries over a period of three years. This latest operation demonstrates Spain's continued commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting its citizens from online threats.
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