Europol Raids Ransomware Network, 12 Suspects Arrested

JAKARTA - Twelve suspects believed to have carried out ransomware attacks against companies or infrastructure in 71 countries are now "targeted" in raids in Ukraine and Switzerland, Europol said on Friday, October 29.

A spokesman for the European police agency declined to comment on whether any suspects were detained in the raids. The operation was the result of cooperation between law enforcement and judicial authorities in seven European countries and the United States.

Europol said 12 suspects are believed to have carried out the cyberattack that affected 1,800 victims worldwide.

One of the companies believed to be targeted by the suspects in the case is metals maker Norsk Hydro ASA, which in 2019 suffered a ransomware attack that paralyzed some of its production, Norwegian police said in a separate statement.

The company refused to pay the hackers, he said at the time, but suffered losses of tens of millions of dollars as a result of the disruption to its operations. Another business allegedly hit by the ransomware lawsuit was not named.

"All of the targeted suspects have different roles in this highly organized professional criminal organization," Europol said in a statement. The other suspects are said to be responsible for hacking and others for laundering proceeds through cryptocurrencies.

During the raids, police confiscated more than $52,000 in cash, five luxury cars, and computer and telephone equipment which were being searched for new evidence and investigative leads, Europol said.

Authorities from Norway, France, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Germany, Britain, Switzerland, and the United States are involved in the crackdown along with Europol and Eurojust, the EU's judicial cooperation body.