Dutch police have arrested a 24-year-old man in Amsterdam who is suspected of leading a famous cybercrime group called ShinyHunters. Cybercrime groups break into private computer networks to steal secret information or demand money.
The group is known for high-profile cyberattacks against major organizations, including Ticketmaster, Rockstar Games, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Dutch authorities arrested the suspect on September 15, just days before the group claimed to steal employee data from the FBI website.
News reports identify the suspect as Pepijn van der Stap, who was previously convicted of data theft and extortion in 2023. Extortion means forcing someone to pay money by using threats. However, ShinyHunters told news agency Reuters that the suspect has no association with the group.
The FBI called the suspect an alleged leader of the group and warned that investigators are actively tracking remaining members. Dutch police added that the suspect is also accused of attempted incitement to commit two murders.