Teenager, 17, arrested in joint UK police and FBI cyber crime sting

A 17-year-old boy from Walsall has been arrested over his alleged involvement with cyber criminals who have taken ‘significant amounts of money’ from their victims, following a sting involving UK police and the FBI.

The boy, from Walsall, West Midlands, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of Blackmail and Computer Misuse Act offences.

He is said to have been involved with a global cyber online crime group which has been targeting large organisations, including US leisure company MGM Resorts, with ransomware and gaining access to computer networks.

According to MGM resorts’ profile, the company looks after 31 hotel and gaming resorts around the world, including many of Las Vegas‘ most well-known hotels.

They include Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and ARIA, among others.

Police confirmed they had recovered evidence at the address, including a number of digital devices which will undergo forensic examination. 

The teenager has been released on bail while police continue to investigate.

A 17-year-old boy from Walsall, West Midlands, has been arrested over his alleged involvement with cyber criminals who have taken ‘significant amounts of money’ from their victims, following a sting involving UK police and the FBI 

He is said to have been involved with a global cyber online crime group which has been targeting large organisations, including US leisure company MGM Resorts. The leisure company owns many of the most well-known hotels in Las Vegas

Officers from the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands (ROCUWM) joined officers from the National Crime Agency, in coordination with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The arrest is part of a global investigation into a large scale cyber hacking community which has targeted several major companies.

Detective Inspector Hinesh Mehta, cyber crime unit manager, at ROCUWM, said: ‘This arrest has been made following a complex investigation which stretches overseas to America.

‘We have been working closely with the National Crime Agency and FBI.

‘These cyber groups have targeted well known organisations with ramsomware and they have successfully targeted multiple victims around the world taking from them significant amounts of money.

‘We want to send out a clear message that we will find you. It’s simply not worth it.’

Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of FBI’s cyber division, said: ‘Today’s arrest is a testimony to the strength of the FBI’s domestic, international, and private sector partnerships.

MGM resorts’ portfolio includes Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and ARIA, among others

‘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.’

MGM Resorts added: ‘We’re proud to have assisted law enforcement in locating and arresting one of the alleged criminals responsible for the cyber attack against MGM Resorts and many others.

‘We know first-hand the damage 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.

‘We are forever grateful to the FBI for their support and work with international law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice.’

Microsoft said: ‘Today sends a strong message to cybercriminals: there will be consequences for your actions.

‘Microsoft commends law enforcement for taking action against those that seek to cause harm, and we remain committed to collaborating with others across the public and private sector to collectively combat cyber threats and make the Internet a safer place.’