FBI struggled to disrupt dangerous casino hacking gang, cyber responders say
By Zeba Siddiqui, Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter
12:29 PM UTC – November 14, 2023
The FBI Struggles to Stop a Hyper-Aggressive Cybercrime Gang
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been engaged in a relentless battle against a highly aggressive cybercrime gang that has been wreaking havoc on corporate America for the past two years, according to cybersecurity responders, digital crime experts, and victims.
Despite having identified the identities of at least a dozen members of the hacking group responsible for the devastating breaches at MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, the FBI has struggled to make arrests, leaving industry executives puzzled by the lack of progress.
Michael Sentonas, president of CrowdStrike, one of the leading firms responding to the hacks, expressed his frustration, stating, “For such a small group, they are absolutely causing havoc.”
The hackers, known as “Scattered Spider,” have been active since 2021 and have targeted numerous high-profile American companies. The MGM breach alone cost the company approximately $100 million in damages, while Caesars paid a ransom of $15 million to regain access to its systems.
CrowdStrike, Alphabet’s Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks, and Microsoft are among the main American cybersecurity firms working to identify the hackers and assist law enforcement. However, the FBI’s investigation has faced challenges due to the group’s loose-knit structure and the hesitancy of some victims to cooperate.
Despite these obstacles, the FBI’s Newark field office has recently made progress in the investigation, and alarming details of the hackers’ aggressive tactics have come to light. The group is involved in various illicit schemes, including sextortion, ransomware, phone-based scams, and even violence-for-hire.
Kevin Mandia, the founder of Mandiant, emphasized the importance of apprehending the hackers, stating, ”If they’re in democratized nations that work with the international community, you’ve got to catch them.”
(This story has been refiled to remove the repetition in paragraph 8)
Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui in San Francisco, and Raphael Satter and Christopher Bing in Washington; editing by Chris Sanders and Claudia Parsons
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How has the FBI’s investigation into the hyper-aggressive cybercrime gang impacted industry executives and their understanding of progress in combating cybercrime?
The FBI Struggles to Stop a Hyper-Aggressive Cybercrime Gang
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been engaged in a relentless battle against a highly aggressive cybercrime gang that has been wreaking havoc on corporate America for the past two years, according to cybersecurity responders, digital crime experts, and victims.
Despite having identified the identities of at least a dozen members of the hacking group responsible for the devastating breaches at MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, the FBI has struggled to make arrests, leaving industry executives puzzled by the lack of progress.
Michael Sentonas, president of CrowdStrike, one of the leading firms responding to the hacks, expressed his frustration, stating, “For such a small group, they are absolutely causing havoc.”
The hackers, known as “Scattered Spider,” have been active since 2021 and have targeted numerous high-profile American companies. The MGM breach alone cost the company approximately $100 million in damages, while Caesars paid a ransom of $15 million to regain access to its systems.
CrowdStrike, Alphabet’s Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks, and Microsoft are among the main American cybersecurity firms working to identify the hackers and assist law enforcement. However, the FBI’s investigation has faced challenges due to the group’s loose-knit structure and the hesitancy of some victims to cooperate.
Despite these obstacles, the FBI’s Newark field office has recently made progress in the investigation, and alarming details of the hackers’ aggressive tactics have come to light. The group is involved in various illicit schemes, including sextortion, ransomware, phone-based scams, and even violence-for-hire.
Kevin Mandia, the founder of Mandiant, emphasized the importance of apprehending the hackers, stating, ”If they’re in democratized nations that work with the international community, you’ve got to catch them.”
(This story has been refiled to remove the repetition in paragraph 8)
Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui, Christopher Bing, and Raphael Satter
In a battle against a highly aggressive cybercrime gang, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) finds itself struggling to make progress. This gang has been causing havoc on corporate America for the past two years, targeting high-profile companies and causing millions of dollars worth of damages. Despite the FBI’s efforts to identify the hackers, the limited number of arrests has puzzled industry executives.
CrowdStrike, Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks, and Microsoft are some of the cybersecurity firms working to identify the hackers and assist law enforcement. However, the loose-knit structure of the hacking group, referred to as “Scattered Spider,” and the reluctance of some victims to cooperate have posed challenges for the FBI’s investigation.
Recently, the FBI’s Newark field office has made progress in the investigation, shedding light on the hackers’ aggressive tactics. They are involved in various illicit activities, including sextortion, ransomware attacks, phone-based scams, and even violence-for-hire. The urgency to apprehend these hackers is stressed by industry experts, as their actions have had severe consequences for companies and individuals.
While the investigation continues, there is hope that with the support of international cooperation, these cybercriminals can be brought to justice. It is crucial to catch them and prevent further damage to democratized nations that work together to combat cybercrime.
In conclusion, as the FBI faces the challenges posed by this hyper-aggressive cybercrime gang, collaboration among cybersecurity firms and international law enforcement agencies becomes crucial in bringing these hackers to justice and protecting businesses from future attacks. The urgency to apprehend and halt their illicit activities is paramount to safeguarding corporate America and the individuals affected by their malicious actions.
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