Japanese investigators have detained a suspected key member of an international hacking group accused of carrying out cyberattacks against companies around the world. Investigative sources say the suspect was handed over to German authorities earlier this month.
The suspect is said to be a 28-year-old Russian national who is believed to be a core member of the international cybercrime group known as “Qilin.”
Qilin is believed to have caused significant damage to businesses around the world by carrying out ransomware attacks for several years. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a company’s data without authorization and demands payment for their release.
As Japan and other countries are conducting a joint investigation, authorities received information that the suspect was in Japan. In May, Japanese investigators reportedly took the suspect into custody in the western city of Osaka.
Sources say German authorities had been searching for him in connection with an incident that caused damage to a German company. The suspect was later handed over to German authorities at their request.
Last year, Qilin claimed responsibility for a large-scale cyberattack on Japanese drinks maker Asahi Group Holdings, saying that it had stolen data from the company’s network system.
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