Ethical Hacking News
Four individuals have been arrested in the UK over a series of high-profile ransomware attacks on major retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. The arrests were made by the NCA earlier today, bringing to light a sophisticated cybercrime operation that has been unfolding for several months.
Four individuals have been arrested in the UK in connection with high-profile ransomware attacks on major retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. The arrests were made by the National Crime Agency (NCA) earlier today, bringing to light a sophisticated cybercrime operation unfolding for several months. The suspects face charges of Computer Misuse Act offenses, blackmail, money laundering, and participation in organized crime. The ransomware attacks targeted M&S, Co-op, and Harrods between late April and early May, causing significant disruptions and a negative impact on the businesses affected by the hackers. The incident is estimated to have cost M&S around $402 million (approximately £300 million).
In a significant development in the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between cybercriminals and law enforcement agencies, four individuals have been arrested in the United Kingdom (UK) in connection with a series of high-profile ransomware attacks on major retailers, including Marks & Spencer (M&S), Co-op, and Harrods. The arrests were made by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) earlier today, bringing to light a sophisticated cybercrime operation that has been unfolding for several months.
According to sources close to the investigation, the four suspects are believed to be part of a larger collective of English-speaking threat actors who have been linked to numerous high-profile breaches in recent years. The NCA has stated that the arrested individuals face charges of Computer Misuse Act offenses, blackmail, money laundering, and participation in organized crime.
The cyberattacks in question targeted M&S, Co-op, and Harrods between late April and early May, causing significant disruptions and a negative impact on the businesses affected by the hackers. Marks & Spencer had to pause online orders soon after the attack, and later confirmed that customer data had been stolen, forcing password resets for all customers. The incident is estimated to have cost M&S around $402 million (approximately £300 million).
During the attacks, the threat actors attempted to deploy the DragonForce ransomware, but were only successful in encrypting data at M&S. Co-op, on the other hand, took proactive measures by shutting down its systems before the ransomware could be deployed, thereby preventing further disruption.
The NCA's Deputy Director, Paul Foster, stated that "Today's arrests are a significant step in our investigation, but our work continues, alongside partners in the UK and overseas, to ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice." This statement underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and bring perpetrators to account.
The profile of the arrested suspects matches that of Scattered Spider, a notorious group of threat actors linked to numerous breaches over the past few years. These incidents have involved high-profile targets such as MGM, Twilio, Coinbase, DoorDash, Caesars, MailChimp, Riot Games, and Reddit.
In addition to the cyberattacks on M&S, Co-op, and Harrods, Scattered Spider has been linked to attacks on U.S. insurance companies and aviation and transportation firms. The group is believed to have used various tactics, including social engineering, to gain access to sensitive information and deploy ransomware.
The arrests in Britain may have a chilling effect on Scattered Spiders' ongoing campaigns, as remaining members may choose to pause and go into hiding for a while. However, the threat actors are likely to regroup and continue their activities, making it essential for organizations to remain vigilant and implement robust cybersecurity measures to prevent future breaches.
As reported by BleepingComputer, specialist NCA cybercrime investigators have been working tirelessly at pace to unravel the threads of this complex operation. The investigation is ongoing, with partners in the UK and overseas continuing to work together to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
In light of these developments, it is essential for organizations and individuals to take proactive steps to protect themselves against cyber threats. This includes implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as multi-factor authentication, regular backups, and employee education programs, to prevent and respond to incidents like this in a timely and effective manner.
Furthermore, the incident highlights the need for greater international cooperation in combating cybercrime. As global networks of threat actors continue to evolve and expand, it is essential that law enforcement agencies work together to share intelligence, coordinate investigations, and develop effective strategies to disrupt and dismantle these operations.
In conclusion, the arrests of four individuals in connection with a series of high-profile ransomware attacks on M&S, Co-op, and Harrods mark an important milestone in the ongoing struggle against cybercrime. While there is still much work to be done, this development underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combating these threats and protecting organizations and individuals from harm.
Four individuals have been arrested in the UK over a series of high-profile ransomware attacks on major retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. The arrests were made by the NCA earlier today, bringing to light a sophisticated cybercrime operation that has been unfolding for several months.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/A-New-Chapter-in-Cybersecurity-Four-Arrested-in-UK-Over-MS-Co-op-Harrods-Ransomware-Attacks-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/four-arrested-in-uk-over-mands-co-op-harrod-cyberattacks/
Published: Thu Jul 10 09:36:48 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
