A teenager from Britain was arrested for his alleged role in a hacking incident involving MGM Resorts International and other major companies, along with a seizure of all his devices. Cybercrime chief states that a lot of cyber groups do this to extort money, but adds that the crime is "simply not worth it."

In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing fight against cybercrime, a teenager in Walsall in England was apprehended for his alleged involvement in hacking activities targeting major organizations, including MGM Resorts International. Authorities revealed the arrest on Thursday, charging the unnamed accused with blackmail, along with violations of the UK Computer Misuse Act.

The teenager allegedly used ransomware to gain unauthorized access to computer networks, although it remains unclear whether he was directly involved in the notorious hacking incident against MGM Resorts last September.

Digital devices seized

During a search of the teen's home, police seized various digital gadgets and devices that will undergo more extensive forensic testing. Following his arrest, the suspect was released on bail. The investigation was, in fact, a collaborative effort involving the FBI, the UK National Crime Agency, and the West Midlands Police, with significant support from the Regional Organized Crime Unit for the West Midlands Region. Walsall is in the West Midlands, UK.

"These cyber groups have targeted well-known organizations with ransomware and have successfully extorted significant amounts of money from multiple victims worldwide," Detective Inspector Hinesh Mehta from ROCUWM stated. He added that they want to send a clear message that they will find cyber criminals and issued a warning, saying, "It's simply not worth it." He also describes the investigation as a "complex inquiry stretching overseas to America."

The assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, Bryan Vorndran, added, "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 a separate statement, MGM Resorts acknowledged their role in aiding law enforcement. It said that it had 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. 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."

Microsoft also issued a stern warning to cybercriminals, stating, "There will be consequences for your actions. As this outcome shows, we have a greater impact when we come together to fight cybercrime."

Previous cybercrime arrests

This recent arrest follows the apprehension of a 22-year-old UK national last month in Spain, who is accused of playing a major role in the hacking of MGM Resorts. The suspect is allegedly linked to the Scattered Spider group of hackers and is also believed to have hacked Caesars Entertainment and other high-profile companies. Reports from the media have identified him as "tylerb" or "Tyler," with Krebs on Security (a tech security publication) naming him as Tyler Buchanan from Dundee in Scotland. His identity is yet to be confirmed, and the specific charges against him remain unclear.

But it seems that 'Tyler' was arrested while boarding a plane from Palma, Spain, to Italy, according to Murcia Today, a Spanish news source. He has also been linked to the theft of a total of $27 million in Bitcoin from corporate and business accounts.

In January, another individual, Noah Urban, who is also a teen, was arrested in Florida in connection to high-profile hacking activities by Scattered Spider. Urban, also referred to by the alias "King Bob" faces many charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

To be continued...

The investigation into the hacking incident at MGM Resorts is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out further arrests.

This case obviously shows the growing sophistication and reach of cybercriminals, who continue to pose significant threats to major corporations. But the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement agencies highlight the importance of global cooperation in combating cybercrime, sending a clear message to would-be hackers that they will be pursued - and ultimately held accountable - for their actions.