Current:Home > reviewsU.K. police arrest 17-year-old in connection with last year's MGM cyberattack -WealthX
U.K. police arrest 17-year-old in connection with last year's MGM cyberattack
View
Date:2025-04-13 20:11:53
A 17-year-old English teenager was arrested Thursday over an alleged connection to a hacking group responsible for a series of ransomware attacks on American companies, including one that kept MGM Resorts International’s computer system down for 10 days last year.
He was initially placed into police custody on suspicion of blackmail and offenses related to the Computer Misuse Act, according to a statement from West Midlands Police, a law enforcement agency in England.
And was released on bail while the agency “continue with our enquiries.”
The teen is believed to have been working with a “large scale cyber hacking community” that carried out an online attack in September 2023 which left the resort chain vulnerable, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.
MGM Hotels & Casino properties across the country were impacted by the “cybersecurity issues,” going dark in an attempt to protect systems and data, USA TODAY reported.
Customers took to social media to document experience, reporting outages at ATMs, slot machines, restaurants, even with digital room keys over the course of multiple days, according to reporting by TechCrunch.
The resort chain was able to somewhat resume “normal operations” at most properties by Sept. 20, a week after the ransomware attacks were reported, Reuters first reported.
Here’s what we know.
Arrest is part of a larger ‘global investigation,’ authorities say
Multiple international agencies, including the FBI, worked to coordinate the Thursday arrest.
The teen’s arrest serves as a “a testimony to the strength of the FBI’s domestic, international, and private sector partnerships,” Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the cybercrimes division said in a news release.
“The FBI, in coordination with its partners, will continue to relentlessly pursue malicious actors who target American companies, no matter where they may be located or how sophisticated their techniques are.”
A number of digital devices” were collected from the teen’s home after the arrest. The devices collected are set to undergo forensic examination, according to West Midlands Police.
“The arrest is part of a global investigation into a large scale cyber hacking community which has targeted a number of major companies which includes MGM Resorts in America,” according to the news release.
Hinesh Mehta, part of the West Midlands regional organized crime unit, said investigators will continue to work with the FBI and the National Crime Agency as the situation develops.
“This arrest has been made following a complex investigation which stretches overseas to America … These cyber groups have targeted well known organizations with ransomware and they have successfully targeted multiple victims around the world taking from them significant amounts of money,” Mehta said in the news release.
To all the cybercriminal out there, Mehta has one clear message: “We will find you. It’s simply not worth it.”
‘Forever grateful’ to authorities following arrest, MGM says
The resort chain was proud to have helped authorities locate and arrest “one of the alleged criminals responsible for the cyberattack against MGM Resorts and many others,” according to a statement obtained by USA TODAY on Friday.
“We know first-hand the damage these criminals can do and the importance of working with law enforcement to fight back,” the statement reads.
MGM Resorts says that the message to criminals was made clear last year when they “voluntarily shut down their systems, refused to pay a ransom and worked with law enforcement.”
“It’s not worth it. We are forever grateful to the FBI for their support and work with international law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice,” according to the statement.
Tech giant Microsoft also issued a statement in response to the arrest, writing: “Today sends a strong message to cybercriminals: there will be consequences for your actions.”
“Microsoft commends law enforcement for taking action against those that seek to cause harm, and we remain committed to collaborating with others across the public and private sector to collectively combat cyber threats and make the Internet a safer place,” Microsoft said in a news release.
veryGood! (24)
Related
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Why Savannah Chrisley Hasn’t Visited Her Parents Todd and Julie in Prison in Weeks
- Man charged with murder in Philadelphia store stabbing that killed security guard, wounded another
- Peruvian constitutional court orders release of former President Alberto Fujimori
- Bodycam footage shows high
- George Santos trolls Sen. Bob Menendez in Cameo paid for by Fetterman campaign
- Stretch marks don't usually go away on their own. Here's what works to get rid of them.
- Coast Guard suspends search for missing fisherman off coast of Louisiana, officials say
- Average rate on 30
- Patrick Mahomes, Maxx Crosby among NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year 2023 nominees
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- How Margot Robbie Stood Up to Oppenheimer Producer to Make Barbenheimer Happen
- The first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 is out. Here's why the hype is huge
- Which four Republicans will be on stage for the fourth presidential debate?
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 15 players to start or sit in Week 14
- Former top staffer of ex-congressman George Santos: You are a product of your own making
- Senate confirms hundreds of military promotions after Tuberville drops hold
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Families of 3 Black victims in fatal Florida Dollar General shooting plead for end to gun violence
The Gaza Strip: Tiny, cramped and as densely populated as London
Selection Sunday's ACC madness peaked with a hat drawing that sent Notre Dame to Sun Bowl
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
Selection Sunday's ACC madness peaked with a hat drawing that sent Notre Dame to Sun Bowl
Serena Williams Reveals Her Breastmilk Helped Treat the Sunburn on Her Face
NCAA's new proposal could help ensure its survival if Congress gets on board