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Pierluigi Paganini@Security Affairs
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Moldovan law enforcement, in collaboration with Dutch authorities, have apprehended a 45-year-old foreign man suspected of orchestrating a series of ransomware attacks targeting Dutch companies in 2021. The suspect is wanted internationally for a range of cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks, blackmail, and money laundering. This arrest marks a significant step in the fight against cybercrime, particularly concerning the persistent threat posed by DoppelPaymer ransomware. The operation involved a coordinated effort between Moldovan prosecutors, the country's Center for Combating Cybercrimes, and law enforcement from the Netherlands, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in tackling sophisticated cyber threats.
The suspect's alleged involvement includes a ransomware attack on the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), resulting in estimated damages of €4.5 million. During the arrest on May 6, Moldovan police searched the suspect's residence and car, seizing substantial evidence, including over €84,000 in cash, an electronic wallet, two laptops, a mobile phone, a tablet, six bank cards, two data storage devices, and six memory cards. The suspect is currently in custody, and extradition procedures to the Netherlands are underway, where he will face charges related to his alleged cybercrimes.
The DoppelPaymer ransomware group emerged in 2019, known for its sophisticated tactics, including data exfiltration before encryption, to pressure victims into paying ransoms. The group has targeted various sectors globally and evolved into other ransomware variants, showcasing the challenges in combating this type of cyber threat. The arrest in Moldova underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to pursue and bring cybercriminals to justice, reinforcing the message that cybercrime will not go unpunished.
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References :
The suspect's alleged involvement includes a ransomware attack on the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), resulting in estimated damages of €4.5 million. During the arrest on May 6, Moldovan police searched the suspect's residence and car, seizing substantial evidence, including over €84,000 in cash, an electronic wallet, two laptops, a mobile phone, a tablet, six bank cards, two data storage devices, and six memory cards. The suspect is currently in custody, and extradition procedures to the Netherlands are underway, where he will face charges related to his alleged cybercrimes.
The DoppelPaymer ransomware group emerged in 2019, known for its sophisticated tactics, including data exfiltration before encryption, to pressure victims into paying ransoms. The group has targeted various sectors globally and evolved into other ransomware variants, showcasing the challenges in combating this type of cyber threat. The arrest in Moldova underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to pursue and bring cybercriminals to justice, reinforcing the message that cybercrime will not go unpunished.
ImgSrc: securityaffairs
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References :
- DataBreaches.Net: Moldovan Police Arrest Suspect in €4.5M Ransomware Attack on Dutch Research Agency
- securityaffairs.com: Moldovan Police arrested a 45-year-old foreign man participating in ransomware attacks on Dutch companies
- The DefendOps Diaries: DoppelPaymer Ransomware: A Persistent Cyber Threat and Recent Arrests
- BleepingComputer: Moldova arrests suspect linked to DoppelPaymer ransomware attacks
- www.techradar.com: Suspect arrested with links to €4.5M DoppelPaymer ransomware attacks
Classification:
- HashTags: #RansomwareArrest #DoppelPaymer #Cybercrime
- Company: Dutch companies
- Target: Dutch organizations
- Attacker: DoppelPaymer
- Product: ransomware
- Feature: ransomware
- Malware: DoppelPaymer
- Type: Ransomware
- Severity: Major