Thai-US powered operation crumbles cybercrime hacker syndicate

[george]

Photo: Royal Thai Police

 

CHONBURI: -- In an unprecedented global crackdown, a leading cybercrime organisation, described as the world's most sophisticated hacking group, has been successfully dismantled. This victory comes as a result of a tireless combined operation between Thai and US security services.

 

Officers searched a target house in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, and three condominium rooms in Na Jomtien. They found 7.5 million baht in cash, both Thai and foreign currencies, 13 luxury watches including 3 AUDEMARS PIGUET watches worth over 30 million baht, 23 pieces of jewelry worth over 50 million baht. 

 

In addition, there was a black BMW X7 M50d, Thai land title deeds and land purchase agreements, condominium deeds, bank accounts of Mr. Wang Yunhe and Spicy Code company, data storage devices, flash drives containing encryption key data and encryption passwords.

 

The operation orchestrated by the FBI and Thailand's Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), resulted in the arrest of three top-ranking members of the international cybercrime syndicate. The fallout of the arrests, unlike any seen before, is set to have a significant impact on global cybercrime activities.

 

The syndicate had been operating extensive illegal activities involving unauthorised system access, theft of confidential information, and cryptocurrency fraud across borders, wreaking havoc on the global digital economy. The arrested individuals are now facing serious charges under the Computer Crimes Act, which could equate to a decade-long sentence for each charge.

 

Police General Manu Mekmok, Commissioner of Thailand's TCSD, acknowledged the role of constant vigilance and rapid response required in global digital security, stating, "Technology criminals nowadays are equipped with advanced knowledge and resources. Our mission is to be two steps ahead of them."

 

Supported by the broader international community, this coop breaks new ground in the fight against cybercrime, shedding light on the effectiveness of international collaboration. These arrests are not just wins for Thailand and the US; they signify a victory for global digital securities, acting as a strong deterrent against similar criminal activities. By cutting off the head of this cybercrime serpent, authorities hope to significantly slow the growth and spread of similar syndicates.

 

The collaboration came from a request by the US to combat cybercriminal activities, focusing on Chinese national Wang Yunhe and his gang. They are accused of committing national-level online fraud, damaging protected computer systems, committing electronic communications fraud and money laundering opeartions in the US.

 

-- The Thaiger 2024-06-01

[John Drake]

12 hours ago, george said:

the world's most sophisticated hacking group, has been successfully dismantled. 

 

 

 

In a house in Thailand.

[Misty]

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

In a house in Thailand.

 

Sounds serious. More than a house in Thailand - Wang was arrested days ago in Singapore.  From other reporting Wang operated a global botnet controlling millions of individual IP address and rented them to others for some really rotten purposes. The group owned over $100m in property in at least four countries (Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, USA).  

 

"The charges against Wang are for allegedly deploying malware, and creating and operating a residential proxy service known as “911 S5”, a botnet that facilitated cyberattacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations, according to the DOJ."  https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3264861/chinese-hacker-wang-yunhes-arrest-brings-fresh-scrutiny-singapore-wealth-flows

[webfact]

Thai Police and FBI Dismantle Major Global Cyber Crime Syndicate

 

Picture courtesy: Facebook

 

In a significant victory against cybercrime, Thai police, in collaboration with the FBI, have dismantled an international cybercrime syndicate, culminating in the arrest of the group's mastermind in Singapore and the seizure of over a billion baht's worth of assets in Thailand.

 

The operation, spearheaded by Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirabap Bhuridej following a request from FBI attaché Mr. Mike Chai, targeted Mr. Wang Yunhe, a Chinese national identified as the ringleader.

 

This syndicate had been spreading a malware known as 911 S5, which hacked the IP addresses of 19 million computers across 190 countries, leading to extensive financial damage.

 

The criminals exploited this malware to commit a range of offences. They hacked into computers in the United States to fraudulently apply for welfare assistance, siphoning the approved funds into their accounts without the knowledge of the actual applicants.

 

Additionally, they engaged in stealing cryptocurrency, executing ransomware attacks against major organisations, and peddling child pornography. Bomb threats were also made to incite widespread fear.

 

 

The international crackdown saw coordinated efforts from multiple countries, including Thailand and Singapore. The cybercriminals laundered millions of dollars, purchasing real estate and other assets in several countries, with Thailand being a significant target.

 

Among the seized assets in Thailand were 7.5 million baht in various currencies, luxury watches valued over 30 million baht, jewellery worth over 50 million baht, a BMW X7 M50d SUV, several land and condominium title deeds, bank accounts, and a flash drive containing critical encryption data and passwords.

 

These items were confiscated during raids on a house in Bang Lamung district and three condominiums in Na Jomtien, Chonburi province.

 

Authorities continue to investigate companies established by this syndicate in Thailand. The coordinated efforts highlight the crucial international cooperation required to combat sophisticated cybercrime operations effectively.

 

-- 2024-06-03

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[ezzra]

One down, many others to go, this digital age curse is wreaking havoc on many fronts and countries with billions

and losses and untold security risk and exposure to further crimes...

[sammieuk1]

Don't know about international cyber syndicate sounds like the work of your average Thai police captain ..and it looks like the watches have gone missing from the table already🤔 

[findlay13]

Suicide case closed. T.I.T.

Edited June 2 by findlay13

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

In a house in Thailand.

By a Chinese man named Wang Yunhe...

The millions of cash, cars, watches, jewelry and land title deeds will be shared out appropriately according to rank.

[Jonathan Swift]

19 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

In a house in Thailand.

Not at all unusual for such things to be hidden in innocuous places. Same thing with phone scammers in India operating out of small office buildings. But you're the cybercrime expert, what do we know? 

[Jonathan Swift]

Unfortunately, for every bust another one or two will arise. Whack a mole.

[kiwikeith]

20 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

In a house in Thailand.

Are these what you would call, Digital Nomads 

[Ironmike]

I guess those high dollar watches have been snatched up by that fat Thai political guy can't remember his name but collects high dollar watches. 

[soalbundy]

39 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Unfortunately, for every bust another one or two will arise. Whack a mole.

Yes, unfortunately in countries such as China, Russia and NK where these people are unreachable.

[ezzra]

20 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

In a house in Thailand.

Thailand have been and still is a preferred place to run a scam, fraud and swindle operations from owing to the rife

corruptions among those who suppose to guard against such acts, and with the right payola and connections

nothing is impossible to perpetuate and get away with in Thailand...

[AustinRacing]

Here’s how Thai police contributed to FBI investigation. They took FBI agents to Nana plaza at night in a van with police bikes escort to avoid traffic. During the day Thai police had been busy playing games on their phones pretending to check for information. They also alerted Thai criminals in the case for a fee of course. 

[Presnock]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

Don't know about international cyber syndicate sounds like the work of your average Thai police captain ..and it looks like the watches have gone missing from the table already🤔 

well, they should be able to find those watches...

[Xonax]

Thank you US. Wouldn't have happened without you.

Edited June 3 by Xonax

[Hakuna Matata]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This syndicate had been spreading a malware known as 911 S5

 

How did they manage to deploy this malware in the victims' smart phones and tablets?

 

I have installed Dr. Web antivirus on my wife's and daughter's smartphones.

[Hakuna Matata]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

Thailand have been and still is a preferred place to run a scam, fraud and swindle operations

 

Yes, absolutely!

[RichardColeman]

Don't get. These Chinese guys cold just walk across Biden's leaky borders and done it in the states. Then pleaded asylum !

[mberbae]

Good thing it wasn't a China - Thailand joint operation.

[mberbae]

8 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Don't get. These Chinese guys cold just walk across Biden's leaky borders and done it in the states. Then pleaded asylum !

The US borders have been leaky for over 250 years.

[AhFarangJa]

I showed the Wife that picture, and She was not impressed......"Where is the gold, no gold, no good"........

[Srikcir]

27 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Don't get. These Chinese guys cold just walk across Biden's leaky borders and done it in the states. Then pleaded asylum !

So you don't get what doesn't happen. 

[Dart12]

18 hours ago, Misty said:

  

 

"The charges against Wang are for allegedly deploying malware, and creating and operating a residential proxy service known as “911 S5”, a botnet that facilitated cyberattacks, large-scale fraud, child exploitation, harassment, bomb threats, and export violations, according to the DOJ."  https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3264861/chinese-hacker-wang-yunhes-arrest-brings-fresh-scrutiny-singapore-wealth-flows

Us government hates competition 

[sambum]

3 hours ago, Ironmike said:

I guess those high dollar watches have been snatched up by that fat Thai political guy can't remember his name but collects high dollar watches. 

 

Nah - he just borrows them nd forgets to give them back!

[wealthychef]

On 6/1/2024 at 9:46 PM, george said:

The collaboration came from a request by the US to combat cybercriminal activities, focusing on Chinese national Wang Yunhe and his gang. They are accused of committing national-level online fraud, damaging protected computer systems, committing electronic communications fraud and money laundering opeartions in the US.

 

 In my opinion, this US "help with crime" is not about fighting organized crime, this is about spying on China and gaining favor with Thai government to try to pivot it away from a China alliance or friendship.   The US CIA in fact works regularly with organized crime and terrorists groups to further its aims.  It seemingly has no interest nor ability to reduce either of those things, despite claims to the contrary.  

[Purdey]

On 6/1/2024 at 9:46 PM, george said:

this coop breaks new ground

I hadn't realized chickens were involved in this coup.

[Olav Seglem]

And police and media brag about what they have done..

They dont think about why this group desided to have their base in Thailand in the first place???? 

(Or they dont understand the irony in such a question 🙂)

[Guderian]

If they're so good, then why not sentence them to a few years hacking the accounts of Russians indicted by the ICC, with parole based on results?