CriticalRansomware
FBI Arrests Founder of Ransomware Negotiation Firm
Krebs on Security·Source published ·1 min read
What happened?
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday arrested the co-founder of a Canadian cybersecurity firm in connection with an investigation into the ShinyHunters hacking group that recently relieved the FBI of sensitive data on thousands of agents, multiple sources tell KrebsOnSecurity. The New York Times reported today that the FBI has arrested a Canadian man in Pennsylvania on suspicion of assisting ShinyHunters. The Times story did not identify the man, nor did a statement on Twitter/X about the arrest from FBI Director Kash Patel.
Key details
- FBI arrested Edward Dubrovsky, co-founder of Canadian ransomware negotiation firm CyberSteward, in Pennsylvania.
- ShinyHunters group has extorted over $70 million from victims this year using phishing and stolen credentials.
- Dutch police arrested ShinyHunters member Pepijn van der Stap last month; another member Rey was detained and is cooperating.
- FBI investigation into ShinyHunters centralized at Texas field office; more charges against negotiation firms may follow.
Affected
- Edward Dubrovsky, co-founder of CyberSteward and former co-founder of Cypfer.
What to look for
- Phishing and stolen credentials used to access SaaS corporate accounts.
- Threats to publish stolen data unless ransom paid.
- FBI recruitment portal data stolen including agent units, specializations, medical and psychiatric records.
Summarised by SecOraLens from Krebs on Security. Always read the original source before acting. How SecOraLens verifies advisories.