Six Cybercriminals Apprehended by Singaporean Authorities Connected to International Cyber Attack Network
Authorities in Singapore, through the Singapore Police Force (SPF), have disclosed the detention of five Chinese nationals and one male Singaporean on alleged charges of engaging in unlawful cyber activities within the nation.
The arrests materialized after a task force of around 160 law enforcement agents executed simultaneous raids at various locations on September 9, 2024.
These half-dozen individuals, aged between 32 and 42, are believed to be associated with an international crime network that orchestrates malevolent cyber operations. As part of the crackdown, digital gadgets and currency were impounded.
One of the apprehended is a 42-year-old Chinese citizen from Bidadari Park Drive, whom authorities discovered to own a laptop containing credentials for accessing web servers employed by well-known hacker factions. The identities of these threat actors were not revealed.
Furthermore, among the seized items were five laptops, six cell phones, over S$24,000 (USD$18,400) in cash, and cryptocurrency valued at approximately USD$850,000.
Additional three Chinese nationals, detained from Mount Sinai Avenue, were allegedly found with laptops bearing confidential details tied to foreign internet service providers, hacking utilities, and specialized software aimed at managing malware like PlugX, a commonly used remote access trojan by Chinese government-backed groups.
Furthermore, authorities confiscated seven laptops, 11 cell phones, and over S$54,600 (USD$41,900) in cash from the trio.
Another Chinese national, aged 38, detained in Cairnhill Road, was under suspicion for allegedly trying to procure personally identifiable data that was believed to have been acquired through illicit means.
The sixth suspect, a 34-year-old Singaporean resident of Hougang Avenue, is suspected of aiding the others in their nefarious undertakings.
The accused individuals have been formally charged with infringements under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, including unauthorized access of computer data, unauthorized retention of personal data, and possession of software potentially employed for conducting other malicious assaults.
Moreover, the Singaporean national has been accused of abetting in the illegal access of websites, an offense that could result in a fine of up to S$5,000 (USD$3,830), or a maximum of two years in jail, or both, for a first-time transgressor.
Channel News Asia has revealed that a sixth Chinese national was also detained subsequently on Wednesday for instructing the Singaporean national to enroll in a Singtel broadband subscription.
“This operation is of significant importance as these individuals are suspected to be orchestrating malevolent global cyber activities from Singapore,” stated the SPF. “We maintain a strict stance against the misuse of Singapore for engaging in criminal endeavors, including illicit cyber activities. We will deal harshly with wrongdoers.”
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