Five Charged in Scattered Spider Cybercrime Case

U.S. prosecutors have charged five alleged members of the Scattered Spider cybercrime group, who are accused of executing a multi-year hacking spree against companies and individuals, resulting in the theft of over $11 million in cryptocurrency. The defendants, aged 20 to 25, employed tactics such as phishing and SIM swapping to steal login credentials and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data from at least 29 victims, including major firms in the telecommunications and cryptocurrency sectors. Investigators have linked their activities to significant breaches, including those affecting Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts, demanding ransom payments to restore services. The group has been noted for its aggressive tactics, and each defendant faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors emphasized the potential for severe consequences, as convictions could lead to lengthy prison sentences. Recovery efforts have yielded about $4 million in cryptocurrency, but total losses are still under assessment.