Interpol Arrests Key Member of Opera1er Cybercrime Group: A key member of the French-speaking cybercrime group Opera1er has been arrested in Africa, announced Interpol.
This arrest comes as a significant blow to the cyber gang known for its involvement in successful attacks against banks, financial services, mobile banking services, and telecom firms across multiple continents.
Key Takeaways on Interpol Arrests Key Member of Opera1er Cybercrime Group:
- Interpol has arrested a senior member of the cybercrime group Opera1er, known for its attacks on African banks and financial institutions.
- Opera1er has been active since at least 2016 and has stolen over $11 million from victims in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
- The arrest is part of Operation Nervone, an international effort involving Interpol, African law enforcement, cybersecurity firms, and the US Secret Service.
Interpol has announced the arrest of a suspected senior member of the Opera1er cybercrime group, a French-speaking criminal organization involved in numerous successful attacks on African banks, financial services, mobile banking services, and telecoms firms.
Opera1er’s Criminal Activities and Financial Impact
Opera1er, also known as Common Raven, Desktop-Group, and NXSMS, has been active since at least 2016 and is responsible for at least 30 successful attacks.
Between 2019 and 2022, the group managed to steal over $11 million from victims in 15 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The total amount accumulated by the group is believed to exceed $30 million.
Methods and Techniques Utilized by Opera1er
The cyber gang employs various tactics, including spear-phishing emails to gain unauthorized access to targeted organizations’ networks.
They deploy malware and exploit compromised bank infrastructure, such as the SWIFT messaging interface, to conduct fraudulent transactions to mule accounts. Funds are then withdrawn by money mules from ATMs, often during weekends and public holidays.
Additionally, Opera1er has engaged in large-scale business email compromise (BEC) scams, tricking employees into transferring funds to attacker-controlled bank accounts through fraudulent invoices.
Significant Impact of the Arrest
The arrest of the suspected senior member of Opera1er in Côte d’Ivoire is expected to have a substantial impact on the group’s illicit activities.
Interpol and its partners emphasize that this arrest is a result of Operation Nervone, an international effort that involved collaboration between Interpol, African law enforcement agencies, Côte d’Ivoire’s Direction de l’Information et des Traces Technologiques (DITT), private cybersecurity firms, and telecommunications companies.
The involvement of the US Secret Service’s Criminal Investigative Division also contributed valuable information to the operation.
Collaborative Efforts to Combat Cybercrime
The arrest of this key member of Opera1er demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in fighting cybercrime.
Operation Nervone serves as a prime example of law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity firms, and international organizations working together to disrupt and dismantle sophisticated cybercriminal groups.
Such collaborative efforts are crucial in protecting individuals and organizations from the devastating impact of cyber threats.
Conclusion
The arrest of a senior member of the Opera1er cybercrime group marks a significant achievement in the ongoing battle against cybercriminal organizations.
This operation demonstrates the commitment of global law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity firms to combating cyber threats and protecting the financial security of individuals and institutions.
Nonetheless, it remains essential to remain vigilant and continue strengthening cybersecurity measures to stay one step ahead of evolving cybercrime tactics.
