Current:Home > MyAuthorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet -Momentum Wealth Path
Authorities arrest man allegedly running ‘likely world’s largest ever’ cybercrime botnet
View
Date:2025-04-28 15:05:11
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! (8)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- The Best Waterproof Jewelry for Exercising, Showering, Swimming & More
- You Have to See Travis Kelce's Reaction to Kardashian-Jenner Family Comparison
- Journalists critical of their own companies cause headaches for news organizations
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Minnesota lawmaker's arrest is at least the 6th to hit state House, Senate in recent years
- Professor William Decker’s Bio
- Secret Service agent assigned to Kamala Harris hospitalized after exhibiting distressing behavior, officials say
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Tennessee lawmakers OK bill criminalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care
Ranking
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- The Justice Department admitted a Navy jet fuel leak in Hawaii caused thousands to suffer injuries. Now, victims are suing the government.
- New home for University of Kentucky cancer center will help accelerate research, director says
- Horses break loose in central London, near Buckingham Palace, injuring several people
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Peep Dua Lipa’s Polarizing Belly Button Dress at TIME100 Gala Red Carpet
- Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Share Why Working Together Has Changed Their Romance
- The economy grew a disappointing 1.6% in Q1. What does it mean for interest rates?
Recommendation
Bodycam footage shows high
Kansas man sentenced to 10 years for crash that killed officer, pedestrian and K-9 last February
Brittany Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes’ Red Carpet Date Night Scores Them Major Points
Inside Kourtney Kardashian's Eggcellent 45th Birthday Party at IHOP
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
Sophia Bush Details “Heartbreak” of Her Fertility Journey
Average long-term US mortgage rate climbs for fourth straight week to highest level since November
The Daily Money: What is the 'grandparent loophole' on 529 plans?