Current:Home > MyAuthorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet -Quantum Capital Pro
Authorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet
View
Date:2025-04-12 05:42:35
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! (1)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- 131 World War II vets die each day, on average; here is how their stories are being preserved.
- Koi emerges as new source of souring relations between Japan and China
- We're Still Recovering From The Golden Bachelor's Shocking Exit—and So Is She
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- U.S. MQ-9 Drone shot down off the coast of Yemen
- If you think Airbnb, Vrbo are cheaper than hotels, you might want to think again!
- Picasso's Femme à la montre sells for more than $139 million at auction, making it his second most expensive piece
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Oakland A’s fans are sending MLB owners ‘Stay In Oakland’ boxes as Las Vegas vote nears
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Why Whitney Port Is in a Better Place Amid Health Struggles
- France’s Macron says melting glaciers are ‘an unprecedented challenge for humanity’
- Ransomware attack on China’s biggest bank disrupts Treasury market trades, reports say
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Jillian Ludwig, college student hit by stray bullet in Nashville, has died
- If You Need Holiday Shopping Inspo, Google Shared the 100 Most Searched for Gift Ideas of 2023
- Historic: NWSL signs largest broadcast deal in women's sports, adds additional TV partners
Recommendation
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
Fugitive suspect in Jan. 6 attack on Capitol surrenders to police in New Jersey
2 men accused of assaulting offers with flag pole, wasp spray during Capitol riot
TikToker Alix Earle Surprises NFL Player Braxton Berrios With Baecation to Bahamas
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Abortion providers seek to broaden access to the procedure in Indiana
Former New York comptroller Alan Hevesi, tarnished by public scandals, dies at 83
'Women Tell All' brings 'Golden Bachelor' confessions: But first, who did Gerry send home?