The Federal Police arrested a 33-year-old Brazilian hacker in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The suspect is accused of infiltrating the systems of the Federal Police (PF) and other international institutions to sell sensitive data.
This arrest marks a critical step in addressing cybercrime that targets government and private entities worldwide.
Details of the Arrest
The arrest followed an extensive investigation by the Federal Police, who seized the hacker’s computer during the operation.
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According to the G1 Globo report, the hacker is believed to have accessed and sold data from Brazilian federal police officers.
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The PF is now focused on determining how this breach occurred and assessing the full extent of the compromised information.
In a statement, the PF revealed that the hacker had been linked to two specific incidents of selling institutional data on May 22, 2020, and February 22, 2022.
These incidents highlight a pattern of cybercriminal activity that has raised significant concerns about data security within government agencies.
International Implications
The implications of this arrest extend beyond Brazil’s borders. The hacker reportedly boasted online about his involvement in several cyber invasions across different countries.
Notably, he claimed responsibility for leaking sensitive data from 80,000 members of InfraGard—a collaboration between the FBI and private infrastructure entities in the United States.
This claim underscores the global reach and potential impact of his cyber activities.
The PF’s statement also mentioned that hackers are notorious in the virtual world for leaking large databases of personal information from prominent organizations, including Airbus and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
These revelations have sparked international interest and concern over cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
The arrested individual faces charges related to invading computer systems. If convicted, his sentence could be increased due to his involvement in selling the illegally obtained data.
This case is a stark reminder of the growing threat cybercriminals pose and underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information.
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