In a coordinated operation between UK police and the FBI, a 17-year-old boy from Walsall, West Midlands, has been arrested for his alleged involvement with a global cybercrime group. The group is accused of extracting significant amounts of money from their victims through ransomware attacks, targeting major organizations including MGM Resorts.
The teenager was apprehended on Thursday on suspicion of Blackmail and Computer Misuse Act offences. During the arrest, officers recovered digital devices that will undergo forensic examination. The suspect has been released on bail while investigations continue.
The arrest follows a complex, three-year investigation involving the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands (ROCUWM), the National Crime Agency (NCA), and the FBI. The investigation focuses on a cyber hacking community that has targeted several large companies worldwide.
MGM Resorts, a prominent victim of the group’s attacks, owns 31 hotel and gaming resorts globally, including iconic Las Vegas hotels like Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and ARIA. The cyber criminals are said to have used ransomware to gain access to computer networks and extort money from the company.
Detective Inspector Hinesh Mehta of ROCUWM commented, “This arrest has been made following a complex investigation which stretches overseas to America. We have been working closely with the National Crime Agency and FBI. These cyber groups have targeted well-known organizations with ransomware and have successfully taken significant amounts of money from multiple victims around the world. We want to send out a clear message that we will find you. It’s simply not worth it.
Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the FBI’s cyber division, stated, “Today’s arrest is a testimony to the strength of the FBI’s domestic, international, and private sector partnerships. The FBI, in coordination with its partners, will continue to relentlessly pursue malicious actors who target American companies, no matter where they may be located or how sophisticated their techniques are.”
MGM Resorts expressed their support for law enforcement efforts, saying, “We’re proud to have assisted law enforcement in locating and arresting one of the alleged criminals responsible for the cyber attack against MGM Resorts and many others. By voluntarily shutting down our systems, refusing to pay a ransom, and working with law enforcement, the message to criminals was clear: it’s not worth it. We are forever grateful to the FBI for their support and work with international law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice.
Microsoft also commended the operation, stating, “Today sends a strong message to cybercriminals: there will be consequences for your actions. Microsoft commends law enforcement for taking action against those that seek to cause harm, and we remain committed to collaborating with others across the public and private sector to collectively combat cyber threats and make the Internet a safer place.
The arrest underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime and highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to protect organizations and individuals from malicious cyber activities.
