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[CRIME] · Germany, Japan · 19 sources

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Part of situation: German arrest of Qilin ransomware group member (2 clusters)

Qilin hacker arrested in Japan and extradited to Germany

Qilin ransomware group cybercrime extradition Russian hacker arrest North Rhine-Westphalia police Operation Albus

German authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia have announced a major breakthrough against the Russian ransomware group Qilin. A 28-year-old Russian national, identified as Vladimir K. (using the pseudonym ‘Snake’), was arrested in Tokyo, Japan, in May while on vacation. He was extradited to Germany last Friday and is currently in custody.

The arrest follows a months-long investigation, codenamed ‘Operation Albus,’ involving the infiltration and monitoring of the hacking group by the State Criminal Police Office and the Central and Contact Point for Cybercrime (ZAC). Investigators tracked extensive digital footprints to identify the suspect, who is believed to be a core member responsible for building the group's attack infrastructure.

Qilin is described as one of the world's most active and ruthless cybercriminal organizations. Since 2024, the group has reportedly targeted nearly 4,000 companies globally, with ransom demands totaling approximately $3 billion. Over $140 million in ransoms have been paid. In Germany, there are 150 known cases, including 30 in North Rhine-Westphalia. The arrest is being hailed by officials as a ‘historic success’ in international cooperation against cybercrime, despite the lack of a formal extradition treaty between Japan and Germany.

Entities

Benjamin Limbach · Central and Contact Point for Cybercrime (ZAC) · Herbert Reul · Japan · North Rhine-Westphalia · North Rhine-Westphalia State Criminal Police Office · Qilin · Vladimir K.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Γερμανός τέως καγκελάριος αποθεώνεται σε σούπερ μάρκετ στη … Μόσχα [www.tromaktiko.gr]
Russlands Armee: Amnesty enthüllt dubiose Anwerbe-Taktiken – „Menschen werden in den Krieg gelockt“ [www.leinetal24.de]
核心成員遭日拘捕，駭客組織 Qilin 稱日本資安全球最差之一 | TechNews 科技新報 [infosecu.technews.tw]
Arrestohet në Japoni hakeri që dyshohet se shantazhoi mijëra kompani [abcnews.al]
NRW nimmt Qilin-Hacker fest: Infiltration, Tokio-Auslieferung und Milliarden-Ansprüche [www.it-boltwise.de]
Στη Γερμανία μεταφέρθηκε Ρώσος χάκερ που συνελήφθη στο Τόκιο [www.businessdaily.gr]
„Statt Sushi gibt‘s jetzt Käsekuchen“: Russischer Hacker landet nach Japan-Urlaub in deutschem Knast [www.kurierverlag.de]
Ransomware Group 'Qilin' Operative Detained in Osaka, Extradited to Germany — BigGo Finance | #ransomware | #cybercrime - National Cyber Security Consulting [nationalcybersecurity.com]
Russlands Armee: Amnesty enthüllt dubiose Anwerbe-Taktiken – „Menschen werden in den Krieg gelockt“ [www.merkur.de]
Russlands Armee: Amnesty enthüllt dubiose Anwerbe-Taktiken – „Menschen werden in den Krieg gelockt“ [www.op-online.de]
Russlands Armee: Amnesty enthüllt dubiose Anwerbe-Taktiken – „Menschen werden in den Krieg gelockt“ [www.tz.de]
NRW gelingt Erfolg gegen russische Hackergruppe "Qilin" [www.zdfheute.de]
Arestare în Japonia. Poliția din Renania de Nord-Westfalia obține un „succes istoric” împotriva hackerilor ruși - Aktual24 [www.aktual24.ro]
„Statt Sushi gibt‘s jetzt Käsekuchen“: Russischer Hacker landet nach Japan-Urlaub in deutschem Knast [www.kreiszeitung.de]
NRW gelingt Schlag gegen Qilin-Hacker - Russe festgenommen | 07. 10. 26 [www.finanzen.at]
Cybercrime: NRW gelingt Schlag gegen Qilin-Hacker - Russe festgenommen [www.volksfreund.de]
Ρώσος χάκερ που συνελήφθη στο Τόκιο μεταφέρθηκε στην Γερμανία [www.cnn.gr]
„Gefängnisbrot statt Sushi“: Wie russischer Hacker im Japan-Urlaub ins Netz ging [www.abendblatt.de]
Cybercrime: NRW gelingt Schlag gegen Qilin-Hacker - Russe festgenommen [www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de]