Alleged Chinese mastermind arrested and $29m in cryptocurrency seized as world’s largest botnet is dismantled.
A Chinese national has been apprehended for reportedly orchestrating a massive botnet responsible for pilfering billions of dollars.
The “911 S5” botnet was believed to be the largest in the world, infecting computers in close to 200 countries and aiding in various criminal activities such as financial scams, identity theft, and exploitation of minors, as stated by FBI director Christopher Wray.
Yunhe Wang allegedly generated at least $99 million (£78 million) by marketing access to criminals who utilized it for illicit activities, leading to the purchase of luxury vehicles and real estate in multiple countries.
A botnet is a network of compromised computers controlled by hackers remotely to carry out widespread cyber assaults and fraudulent schemes.
The infected “zombie” machines are under their command and can be employed for data theft, surveillance, and installation of malicious software.
35-year-old Wang was detained in Singapore last week, with $29 million (£22.8 million) in cryptocurrency confiscated, reported Brett Leatherman – FBI’s deputy assistant director for cyber operations.
Stay updated with all breaking news from the UK and worldwide by following Sky News
The botnet was employed to perpetrate “billions of dollars in thefts from financial institutions, credit card issuers, account holders, and federal lending programs since 2014”, as per an indictment filed in Texas.
Reportedly, the network consisted of 613,000 compromised machines in the US alone.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland disclosed that criminals utilizing the network were responsible for around $5.9 billion (£4.64 billion) in fraud, including 560,000 fabricated unemployment insurance claims.
Wang utilized his wealth to purchase 21 properties in the UAE, the US, China, Singapore, Thailand, and St. Kitts and Nevis – where he acquired citizenship, prosecutors added.
Assets like a Rolls-Royce, two BMWs, a Ferrari, luxury watches, among others, could potentially be confiscated.
If convicted, Wang faces a maximum of 65 years in prison for charges like computer fraud and money laundering.
The FBI stated that authorities from the US, Singapore, Thailand, and Germany collaborated in the operation to arrest him and dismantle the botnet.
Find more stories from Sky News:
‘Bad breath rapist’ apprehended 17 years post assault
Billionaire to explore depths of Titanic with two-person sub
“The alleged actions outlined here seem like a scenario straight from a movie,” remarked Matthew S. Axelrod, of the US Bureau of Industry and Security.
“A plot to vend access to millions of malware-infected computers globally, enabling criminals to perpetrate multi-billion dollar thefts, transmit bomb threats, exchange child exploitation materials – and utilizing nearly $100 million in profits to acquire luxury cars, watches, and real estate.”
