Global law enforcement agencies have arrested an alleged gang member they say is behind the theft of nearly $31 million using a piece of malicious software that records banking details, and they are on the hunt for the remaining members.
The malware -– known as Dridex –- is believed to be developed by in eastern Europe and it's able to harvest bank details online in order to steal money from people. Global financial institutions and a variety of different payment systems have been targeted, the U.K.'s National Crime Agency (NCA), one of the authorities involved, said on Tuesday.
Read More: Super Hackers Reveal Just How Easy It Is to Steal Just About Everything
"Thousands" of Brits have been infected by Dridex, according to the NCA. Hackers send documents containing the malware and when users click on the link, the malicious code is downloaded into their computers. The NCA said mainly users if Microsoft's Windows operating system were affected.
Dridex does not only affect U.K. users and experts estimate it is responsible for $100 million in losses worldwide.
The NCA worked with the U.K.'s intelligence service GCHQ, CERT-UK, Europol, the FBI, German and Moldovan authorities for the operation.
It resulted in the arrest of Andrey Ghinkul, 30, from Moldova, who has been charged in a nine-count indictment of criminal conspiracy, unauthorized computer access with intent to defraud, damaging a computer, wire fraud and bank fraud by U.S. authorities. He was arrested in Cyprus in August with the news only announced this week. The FBI is now seeking his extradition.
Read More: Cyberattack 101: Why Hackers Are Going After Universities
