Searches were carried out at several addresses linked to 12 people in a coordinated international police operation against organized cybercriminals in Ukraine. Kripos was involved in the investigation and action following the 2019 Hydro computer attack
Kripos is part of a large action against organized cybercriminals
The investigative group believes that 12 people served different roles in the network of criminals behind the serious hacking attacks. Their target was over 1800 companies in 71 countries, including a computer attack on Hydro in March 2019. The group systematically targeted large companies and it was paralyzing their malware business.
- The operation began on Tuesday, October 26. A Kripos delegation is in Ukraine to help with the investigation, coordinated by Europol, says Kripos computer crime head Håvard Aalmo.
During the operation, large amounts of electronic equipment, cash and several expensive cars were confiscated
"Further work, both in Ukraine and Norway, will essentially involve interrogating and reviewing the large amounts of data that are secured in connection with the operation," says Aalmo.
The National Cybercrime Center (NC3) in Kripos participated in a coordinated investigation by Europol and Eurojust* into the ransomware attack on Hydro in March 2019. Hydro did not pay the ransom, but the attack cost Hydro NOK 800 million.
- The action shows that the report of such attacks can be continued as Hydro did, and that it is worth investigating. Finding these people was painstaking and painstaking work. The police have made great strides in following the footprints that were obtained in the investigation, says Håvard Aalmo.
Kripos cooperated with the French, British and Ukrainian police in the so-called "Joint Investigation Team" (JIT), initiated by the French police. In addition, there was close cooperation with the American, Dutch, Swiss and German police.
We have investigators, technicians, prosecutors, analysts, liaison officers and other personnel in Ukraine
- We have investigators, technicians, prosecutors, analysts, liaison officers and other personnel in Ukraine who support the investigation with our knowledge. NC3 has valuable expertise in this type of investigation, which is highly appreciated by our partners, says Aalmo.
Kripos staff assist in securing seizures and investigations
- This type of crime should be solved within the framework of international police cooperation. This criminal group attacked 1800 companies in 71 countries. However, criminals do not need to be in any of these countries to launch attacks. That's why the police have to work together across national borders, says Aalmo.
The investigation will continue and it is natural that the seizures now made will be a central part of further work.
- At the same time, we would like to thank our partners in other countries, it is thanks to international cooperation and such meetings that we can change this type of serious crime.
Eurojust * is the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation
Source: Kripos / Politi
