FBI Warns ShinyHunters Members: 'We Know How to Find You'

The FBI's Cyber Division has issued a direct warning to members of the ShinyHunters cybercrime group after Dutch police arrested a 24-year-old described as one of its alleged leaders. In a video message, Assistant Director Brett Leatherman said arrests tend to encourage suspects to talk and that seized infrastructure helps investigators identify remaining members. He urged the group to come forward voluntarily while they still have that choice.

Dutch police said they found a large amount of information on the suspect's laptop, including details about two murders allegedly ordered by the individual to be carried out overseas. The FBI assisted in the arrest and said additional arrests are possible as the investigation continues.

The crackdown follows ShinyHunters' hack of the FBI's own jobs portal, FBIJobs.gov, where the group claimed to steal personal data belonging to current, former and prospective FBI employees. Unlike the group's usual financially motivated attacks, a spokesperson told The Register this hack was intended to pressure the FBI over statements it disputed, and to preserve the group's reputation among cybercriminals.