Moldovan law enforcement has arrested a foreign man suspected of orchestrating ransomware attacks, including one causing €4.5 million in damages to the Dutch organization NWO in 2021. Authorities seized cash and electronic devices, and the suspect is wanted internationally for cybercrimes related to ransomware, blackmail, and money laundering.
Affected: Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, Dutch companies, international cybercrime victims
Affected: Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, Dutch companies, international cybercrime victims
Keypoints
- A 45-year-old foreign man was arrested in Moldova for involvement in ransomware attacks targeting Dutch companies.
- The suspect is wanted internationally for cybercrimes including ransomware, blackmail, and money laundering.
- During the arrest, law enforcement seized over €84,000 in cash and multiple electronic devices.
- The man is linked to a ransomware attack on NWO in February 2021 that caused approximately €4.5 million in damages.
- The ransomware strain used in the attack was DoppelPaymer, which leaked internal documents after demands were refused.
- DoppelPaymer is believed to be based on BitPaymer, sharing similarities in code and payment portals.
- Law enforcement in Germany and Ukraine have targeted key members of the DoppelPaymer cybercriminal group.
Read More: https://thehackernews.com/2025/05/moldovan-police-arrest-suspect-in-45m.html