The Spanish police have arrested two individuals in the province of Las Palmas, Spain, for their alleged cybercriminal activity. The duo has been described by authorities as a “serious threat to the country’s national security” for their actions. They focused their sophisticated cyberattacks on many high-ranking state officials as well as prominent journalists. The investigation began when agents detected the leakage of sensitive personal data across various communication channels. These sensitive data leaks were directly linked to politicians and also members of the central and regional governments.
The first suspect is believed to have specialized in the exfiltration of sensitive and valuable government data.
The second suspect managed the financial part of the operation by selling access to the stolen databases. He also held the cryptocurrency wallet that received all the illicit funds from the various data sales. The two individuals were arrested yesterday at their homes during coordinated police raids in the Las Palmas province. The police confiscated a large number of electronic devices that may lead to more incriminating evidence.
In recent years, the Spanish police have been very successful in tracking and arresting high-profile cybercriminals. This past February, they arrested a hacker who is believed to have breached the systems of the Guardia Civil. That same hacker also breached the Ministry of Defense, NATO, and the United States Army among other targets. Last June, a young British man linked to the notorious Scattered Spider hacking group was arrested in Spain.
He was believed to have been involved in attacks on forty-five different United States companies.
Earlier, in December of 2023, the Spanish police arrested the alleged leaders of the ‘Kelvin Security’ group. This specific hacking group is believed to be responsible for over three hundred different cyberattacks. Their attacks targeted many organizations in ninety different countries over a long period of just three years. The recent arrests in Las Palmas demonstrate Spain’s continued commitment to combating serious cybercrime within its borders. These successful operations disrupt major criminal networks and protect both national and international security interests.
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