An international law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Justice Department has dismantled the 911 S5 botnet, a massive cybercriminal network responsible for significant global fraud and other crimes. The botnet, which infected over 19 million IP addresses worldwide, facilitated various illicit activities, including financial fraud, child exploitation, and harassment. YunHe Wang, a 35-year-old Chinese national, was arrested and faces severe charges for his role in operating the botnet and deploying malware.
Wang’s network was used to commit a range of criminal offenses by selling access to the compromised IP addresses. The operation led to substantial financial losses, including billions of dollars in fraudulent pandemic relief claims and other financial crimes. Law enforcement agencies from multiple countries collaborated to seize assets valued at around $30 million and to shut down the botnet’s infrastructure.
The investigation revealed that Wang used his botnet to conceal the identities of criminals involved in financial fraud, identity theft, and other serious offenses. His operation, which began in 2014, allowed cybercriminals to bypass fraud detection systems and exploit stolen credit card information. The crackdown on 911 S5 underscores the global effort to combat sophisticated cybercrime and protect victims from such extensive digital threats.
Wang faces up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, including computer fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. The operation also involved significant support from international partners and industry collaborators, showcasing a united front against global cybercrime.
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