Suspected ShinyHunters member detained in Jordan, now aiding FBI investigations
Authorities arrested a man identified as Saif K. in Jordan, accusing him of involvement in the ShinyHunters hack of the FBI, and say he is now cooperating with U.S. investigators.
A man named Saif K. was taken into custody in Jordan on Tuesday, according to three unnamed sources. He is alleged to have taken part in the recent FBI hack attributed to the ShinyHunters hacking collective, which exposed sensitive personnel data, including medical records. Authorities say Saif K. is now cooperating with the FBI to locate additional members of the group.
ShinyHunters, known in the Netherlands for compromising telecom firm Odido, operates on a global scale. In late September, Dutch police detained 24-year-old Pepijn van der S. for his role in the same network, prompting a brief thank-you from the FBI. Van der S. previously served a four-year sentence, partly suspended, for extorting companies and faces charges of attempted solicitation of two murders.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights international cooperation against cybercrime and may help dismantle a globally active hacker group.
How this story developed
- Sep 22 Hackers calling themselves ShinyHunters claim breach of FBI employee database
- Sep 26 The FBI announced an aggressive investigation into the alleged breach.
- Oct 3 The extortion forum vanished after the FBI deadline to amend the advisory passed.
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