Thanh Hoa Teen Accused of Creating Global Malware with Cybercriminals

Photo courtesy of VN Express

A high school student in Thanh Hoa Province has been implicated in a global cybercrime operation. The provincial police indicted 12 people on Wednesday for roles in developing and distributing malicious software, allegedly affecting over 94,000 computers. Accusations detail the student’s involvement in creating malware that harvested sensitive data and enabled remote control of devices.

Get today's headlines by email

Police reports reveal the student began developing malware in 2024 during his 11th-grade year, utilizing programming languages like Python and C++. He independently crafted software to bypass operating system defenses and gather valuable user information. His collaboration began in July 2024 with Le Thanh Cong, a 28-year-old from Ha Tinh Province, who facilitated the malware's large-scale implementation.

Joined by Phan Xuan Anh from Nghe An Province, the student helped innovate "PXA Stealers," which allowed criminals to fully control compromised computers. According to authorities, this operation routed stolen data to Telegram bots, while the teenager received a 15% commission from the illicit profits. Additionally, he was paid to develop another malware version named "Adonis."

Infected systems were identified in multiple regions, including Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The malware was spread through spam emails disguised as innocuous documents, leading to widespread data breaches and social media account takeovers. The scheme reportedly generated tens of billions of Vietnamese dong for the crime ring through illicit activities leveraging compromised accounts, reported VN Express.

Join the discussion?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 25 Mar 2026