Thai Police Arrest Singaporean Suspect of Global Cyber Attacks

Thai police arrested a Singaporean man, Chia, for allegedly hacking over 70 companies worldwide, including 20 in Thailand. Chia was detained after a Thai company’s extortion complaint regarding stolen data. He confessed to his crimes, and authorities seized luxury items worth about $300,000 from him. Chia faces multiple charges and has ties to significant amounts of stolen data targeting various sectors.

Thai authorities have apprehended a Singaporean man suspected of orchestrating cyber attacks on over 70 organizations across a variety of countries. The 39-year-old suspect, known as Chia, was arrested on Wednesday in Bangkok, following a collaborative investigation with Singaporean law enforcement officials. He is accused of infiltrating numerous companies, absconding with confidential information, and peddling it on the dark web.
This arrest was prompted by an extortion complaint from a Thai firm, which reported threats from the account ‘@0mid16b’, demanding a ransom for withholding stolen customer data. Atip Pongsivapai, the commander of Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division, indicated that the tracking of the suspect commenced upon receipt of this complaint.
Chia reportedly confessed to his crimes, stating that he hacked company databases to sell stolen data. Since 2020, he is believed to have compromised more than 70 organizations, including 20 entities within Thailand. During the execution of the arrest, authorities seized gold ornaments and luxury items valued at approximately $300,000.
Chia faces legal charges including extortion, unauthorized computer system access, and possessing an invalid visa in Thailand. According to Group-IB, a cybersecurity firm based in Singapore that assisted in the investigation, the suspect operated under various aliases such as Altdos, Desorden, GhostR, and 0mid16B, and is linked to 13 terabytes of illicitly obtained data targeting critical sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, and government.

The arrest of Chia marks a significant step in combating global cybercrime, reflecting the cooperation between Thai and Singaporean authorities. With accusations of extensive hacking and data theft, Chia’s case highlights the ongoing threats posed by cybercriminals. His apprehension serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance against cyber threats and the need for international collaboration in cybercrime investigations.

Original Source: tuoitrenews.vn