also @ TechSpot: Xbox One: Entertainment Hub First, Gaming Console Second -- But Could It Disrupt TV?

› ›

FBI takes down crime ring that stole $70 million with virus

By Emil Protalinski

On October 3, 2010, 7:26 PM

f
Working with police and security agencies around the world, the FBI has cracked a major cyber-crime network, making tens of arrests in the US alone, as part of Operation Trident Breach. The cyber thieves targeted small and medium-sized companies, municipalities, churches, and individuals, infecting their computers using a version of the Zeus Botnet. The US Attorney General says those arrested in the US, who provided bank accounts for the criminals to deposit stolen money in, have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank-fraud and money laundering.

The suspected members worked as mules for fraudsters based in Eastern-Europe who stole around $70 million from companies and consumers in the US. The original goal was $220 million, but the criminals only managed to steal less than a third of that. They used the the malware's obtained usernames and passwords for bank account details.

The Operation Trident Breach investigation began in May 2009 when FBI agents noticed a string of suspicious bank transactions: automated clearing house batch payments were made to 46 separate bank accounts throughout the US. The large-scale organized cybercrime operation was active in several countries outside of the US, including the Netherlands, Ukraine, and the UK.


2 comments

User Comments: 2

Got something to say? Post a comment
  1. October 4, 2010 5:20 AM
    dummybait said:

    Let them hang!

    Reply
  2. October 4, 2010 7:49 AM
    Burty117
    Burty117, TechSpot Chancellor, said:

    dummybait said:

    Let them hang!

    +1

    Reply

Recently commented stories

Post a new comment

Social Login & Guest Posting TechSpot Members
Login here or sign up for free,
it takes about a minute.
Get complete access to the TechSpot community. Join thousands of technology enthusiasts that contribute and share knowledge in our forum. Get a private inbox, upload your own photo gallery and more.
TechSpot on:

Most Popular

Trending Featured
More Trending Topics

Featured on Keyboards

Downloads and Drivers

Downloads   Drivers  

1by1 1.79

MKVToolNix 6.2.0

WinDirStat 1.1.2

SketchUp 13.0.3689

MessageMe for Android 1.0.11

More Downloads

Latest Discussion

Does anyone have experience with iolo System Mechanic? Words of advice? 11 replies on Software Apps

Need help with upgrading 11 replies on Processors and Motherboards

Graphics Card Question 8 replies on Audio and Video

Monitor - No display when i put my HD6670 into motherboard 5 replies on Audio and Video

How did my Windows key become disabled? 15 replies on Other Hardware

More Recent Discussion

Subscribe to TechSpot

Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.