FBI data breach linked to suspected teenage hacker

Adem El Adeb, a 19-year-old former member of the cybercrime group Hellcat, claims he repeatedly warned 17-year-old Saif al-Din Khader against hacking the FBI. El Adeb stated he told Khader the move was ‘suicidal’ and ‘crazy,’ warning that the weight of the US government would follow him, but Khader remained undeterred.

Khader, known by the alias ‘Rey,’ is alleged to have played a key role in a massive data breach claimed by the hacking group ShinyHunters. The FBI is reportedly investigating the hack and has informed staff that it is operating under the assumption that the stolen data includes information pertaining to all its employees.

Khader was taken into custody in Jordan on September 29 and is reportedly cooperating with the FBI’s investigation. Both Khader and El Adeb were previously identified by the Israeli cybersecurity firm Kela as members of Hellcat, a group responsible for various high-profile hacks, including an incident involving France’s Schneider Electric.