started · updated
Athens resident investigated for role in international KillSec hacker group
An 18-year-old resident of Athens is under investigation by the Greek Cybercrime Division for allegedly serving as a developer for the international hacker group KillSec. The investigation is part of a broader international operation, dubbed ‘KillSwitch,’ coordinated by Eurojust and supported by Europol, involving authorities from nine countries, including Germany, Romania, and the United States.
KillSec is linked to approximately 1,000 cyberattacks worldwide, with at least 500 confirmed as successful. The group reportedly gained unauthorized access to organizational systems, stole roughly 110 terabytes of sensitive data, and extorted victims for cryptocurrency ransoms, threatening to leak the stolen information if demands were not met.
During a raid on the suspect's home in Athens, conducted with the participation of German and Romanian officials, police seized several digital items. These included a laptop, four mobile phones, two hard drives, two USB sticks, and a notebook with handwritten notes. Notably, one USB stick contained backups of messaging application conversations, which authorities believe will be critical in mapping the group's communications and operations.
International investigations have identified various roles within the group, including administrators, developers, negotiators, and affiliates. A 16-year-old has been identified as the main operator. Authorities noted that the 18-year-old suspect was a minor during the period when many of the investigated cyber activities took place.
Entities
Athens · Cybercrime Division · Eurojust · Europol · Interpol · KillSec
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The group's method involved stealing sensitive data and demanding ransoms in cryptocurrency under threat of public release. www.gargalianoionline.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 18-year-old suspect was a minor during the period when some of the investigated cyber activities occurred. www.e-radio.gr · www.gargalianoionline.gr
- [● 8 SOURCES] Authorities seized a laptop, four mobile phones, two hard drives, two USB sticks, and a handwritten notebook during the raid in Athens. www.e-radio.gr · kriti360.gr · patrapress.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.ekriti.gr · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] During a search in Athens, police seized a USB stick containing backups of messaging application conversations. www.e-radio.gr · kriti360.gr · patrapress.gr · www.gargalianoionline.gr · lawandorder.gr · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] An 18-year-old resident of Athens is under investigation for allegedly serving as a developer for the KillSec group. www.e-radio.gr · kriti360.gr · patrapress.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.ekriti.gr · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 16-year-old has been identified as the main operator of the KillSec group. www.e-radio.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The KillSec hacker group is linked to nearly 1,000 cyberattacks, with approximately 500 confirmed as successful. www.e-radio.gr · www.gargalianoionline.gr · lawandorder.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The group is associated with the theft of 110 terabytes of data. www.e-radio.gr · www.gargalianoionline.gr