Thai police have arrested a Singaporean suspect, Chia, for cyber attacks on over 70 organizations worldwide. He is charged with hacking, extortion, and illegal stay in Thailand. His activities included data theft targeting various sectors, with substantial seized assets during the raid. Chia confessed and operated under multiple aliases while allegedly selling stolen data on the dark web.
Thai authorities have apprehended a 39-year-old Singaporean man named Chia in Bangkok, who is implicated in extensive cyber attacks affecting over 70 organizations across multiple countries. His arrest was executed following collaboration with Singaporean law enforcement on Wednesday, as indicated by officials on Thursday. Chia allegedly compromised numerous companies, pilfering sensitive information and selling it via the dark web.
The apprehension stemmed from a report made by a Thai company that faced extortion threats via the X account ‘@0mid16b,’ demanding payments in return for not disclosing stolen customer data. Atip Pongsivapai, head of Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division, stated that investigations commenced after the complaint was lodged. Chia has reportedly admitted to hacking corporate databases and commoditizing the stolen data.
Since 2020, Chia has breached more than 70 organizations, including 20 Thai firms. Authorities conducted a raid, resulting in the seizure of valuables, including gold ornaments and luxury items, totaling approximately $300,000. Charges brought against Chia include extortion, unauthorized access to computer systems, and illegal residency in Thailand.
Group-IB, a cybersecurity firm based in Singapore that provided assistance in the investigation, disclosed that Chia operated under various aliases, namely Altdos, Desorden, GhostR, and 0mid16B, and is linked to 13 terabytes of stolen data targeting sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, and government.
In summary, the arrest of Chia marks a significant action by Thai authorities in combating cybercrime, particularly against organized groups that exploit sensitive information for profit. His confession regarding the hacking activities, coupled with the extensive damages across multiple sectors globally, highlights the critical challenges of cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape. The collaboration between Thai and Singaporean authorities exemplifies the importance of transnational cooperation in addressing such crimes effectively.
Original Source: tuoitrenews.vn
