British Teen Arrested for Alleged Role in MGM Resorts Hacking

Posted on: July 19, 2024, 05:47h. 

Last updated on: July 19, 2024, 05:47h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A 17-year-old boy from Walsall, England was apprehended this week for taking part in the hacking of MGM Resorts International and other large organizations, authorities revealed.

The unnamed suspect was arrested on Thursday for blackmail and violation of the UK Computer Misuse Act.

Authorities said he apparently used ransomware and gained illegal access to computer networks.

It wasn’t specified if the teen took part in the prominent hacking plot against MGM Resorts which took place last September.

Digital Devices Seized

When police searched the teen’s residence, they found a variety of digital devices. They will be sent to a lab for forensic examinations.

The teen was released after posting bail.

The investigation was a joint operation among the West Midlands Police, the UK National Crime Agency, and the FBI.

Also, taking part was the Regional Organized Crime Unit for the West Midlands Region (ROCUWM). Walsall is located in the West Midlands, UK.

These cyber groups have targeted well known organizations with ransomware and they have successfully targeted multiple victims around the world taking from them significant amounts of money,” Detective Inspector Hinesh Mehta, cybercrime unit manager at ROCUWM, said in a statement.

“We want to send out a clear message that we will find you. It’s simply not worth it,” Mehta warned.

He described the inquiry as “complex investigation which stretches overseas to America.”

Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, added that the FBI “in coordination with its partners, will continue to relentlessly pursue malicious actors who target American companies, no matter where they may be located or how sophisticated their techniques are.”

In still another statement, MGM Resorts said it assisted law enforcement “in locating and arresting one of the alleged criminals responsible for the cyberattack against MGM Resorts and many others.”

We know first-hand the damage these criminals can do, and the importance of working with law enforcement to fight back,” the MGM statement added. “By voluntarily shutting down our systems, refusing to pay a ransom and working with law enforcement on their investigation and response, the message to criminals was clear: it’s not worth it.”

Also, in a statement from Microsoft, that company warned cybercriminals “there will be consequences for your actions.”

As this outcome shows, we have greater impact when we come together to fight cybercrime.”

Prior Arrests

Last month, it also was reported that a 22-year-old UK national accused of playing a major role in the hacking of MGM Resorts was apprehended in Spain.

He’s allegedly tied into the Scattered Spider hacking group and also is suspected of taking part in the hacking of Caesars Entertainment, as well as other high-profile company hacks.

Media reports have identified him by the alias of “Tyler” or “tylerb.” Tech security publication Krebs on Security named him as Tyler Buchanan of Dundee, Scotland. That identity couldn’t be immediately confirmed. It’s unclear what charges were filed against him.

“Tyler” was arrested as he was boarding a plane from Palme, Spain that was heading to Italy, according to Murcia Today, a Spanish news outlet. He was also linked to the theft of $27M in Bitcoin from corporate accounts, according to news reports.

In January, Noah Urban, 19, who authorities claim is also linked to high-profile hacks by Scattered Spider was arrested in Florida. He’s also known by the alias of “King Bob.”

Urban was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as well as eight counts of wire fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft.

The investigation into the MGM Resorts hacking is continuing and other arrests are possible.