Illustrative image of a hacker.
-
NICOLAS ASFOURI / AFP
Ten hackers were recently apprehended after the theft of more than $ 100 million (€ 82 million) in cryptocurrency,
Reuters
reports
.
As explained in the press release from Europol, the European judicial police agency, hackers were able to steal cryptocurrency after having access to the personal information of their victims.
The arrest took place in two stages.
Eight individuals were arrested on Tuesday, February 9 and two others were arrested some time earlier in Malta and Belgium.
The United Kingdom, Canada and the United States also participated in this survey coordinated by Interpol.
8⃣ arrests for sim-swapping that targeted celebrities in the USA.
The suspects are believed to have stolen over $ 100m in cryptocurrencies by gaining access to and taking control of apps and changing passwords.
https://t.co/GxSLWOFF8u
- Europol (@Europol) February 10, 2021
The "sim swapping"
The hackers used the method of "sim swapping".
This technique consists first of all in calling the victim's telephone operator by assuming his identity.
The crook then claims to have lost his SIM card and asks to activate his number on another card.
He can thus have access to a great deal of confidential information, protected by two-factor authentication systems.
In this specific case, the hackers "targeted thousands of American victims in 2020, including famous Internet influencers, sports stars, musicians and their families," said Europol.
They also posted messages on their social networks.
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