UK Arrests Four Suspected Scattered Spider Hackers Over Multi-Retail Cyberattacks

British law enforcement authorities have arrested four young individuals—two 19-year-old men, a 17-year-old boy, and a 20-year-old woman—suspected members of the Scattered Spider hacker collective. The arrests relate to a series of ransomware attacks earlier this year that severely disrupted operations at major UK retailers Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods, causing significant financial losses such as M&S's estimated £300 million ($407 million) impact. The National Crime Agency (NCA) emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling this loosely affiliated English-speaking hacking group, which has targeted over 100 organizations globally, including entities in the US, UK, Canada, and India. Scattered Spider is known for data theft and extortion, often partnering with ransomware operations like Alphv (BlackCat) and DragonForce. The suspects remain in custody, and investigations continue to identify additional affiliates. These arrests mark a key breakthrough in the broader effort to combat cybercrime affecting critical sectors such as retail, insurance, and aviation.