FBI Anti-Phishing Probe Leads To Arrest Of Phishing Gang

Nearly seventeen people were nabbed after an FBI probe and authorities think they were implicated in a global identity theft operation; together with phishing strikes on Capital One and other unconfirmed financial institutions.

In a joint probe led by authorities of Romania, Poland and USA, four apprehensions were made in USA and thirteen persons were nabbed in Poland.

The probe aimed both cyber-terrorists who endangered almost 50 computers to initiate the phishing strikes, and those who tried to get pilfered financial details.

The so-called gang leader, a Pole called Blindroot, has allegedly infiltrated into arbitrator servers to lease the Internet to other hackers who desired to host fake sites for phishing.

The probe is also concentrating on three Romanian suspects who were interrogated by the Romanian authorities, plus suspects in seven US states. Authorities claim further catches are expected.

Out of the four US defendants, three were nabbed with cards and MSR-206 machines utilized to encrypt information onto stripped credit cards. One person was arrested attempting to wash fake credit cards down the commode.

The malefactors got credit and debit card PINs by phishing and breaking into records, then circulated the PINs to confederates via Darkmarket, CcpowerForums, and other carding websites dedicated to worldwide Cybercrime.

The probe is a part of a global drive to enhance teamwork amongst police force to eradicate territorial matters in tracking cyber-terrorists across borders, stated the assistant director of Cyber Division of FBI, James E. Finch. Over twenty FBI regional offices and eight legal attaché bureaus participated in the probe.
"We are pooling proof and employing unique advanced methods," averred Finch. "Cyber-terrorists won't be able to disappear beyond borders to perform their illegal activities. There won't be any sanctuary for Cybercrime."

The Senior Technology Consultant for Sophos, Graham Cluley, understands the authorities are succeeding in their crusade against cyber-terrorists. He told: "The authorities fighting Cybercrime should be praised for working collectively across global borders to bust these crime rings. Comparatively more persons were nabbed previous year for cyber crimes than ever."

Related article: FBI’s ICCC Annual Report Discusses Fraudulent and Non-Fraudulent Complaints

» SPAMfighter News - 11/7/2006