The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has apprehended five people suspected of being members of the multinational "Phoenix" hacker organization, that carried out phishing assaults using counterfeit Apple support websites.
The suspects reportedly resided in Kyiv or Kharkiv, according to the SSU, and all five were graduates of higher technical education institutes. Since then, police have confiscated computer equipment, mobile phones, software, and hardware thought to be used by the organization.
Phoenix specializes in phishing scams to acquire remote control of smartphones. Viewers were directed to phishing websites that have been clones of legitimate Apple and Samsung help websites. The scheme lasted at least two years, and the hackers successfully gained access to hundreds of people's accounts.
Individuals might also hire Phoenix for remote mobile phone hacking for $100 to $200. Investigators also learned that the hackers were accessing stolen or lost Apple iPhones. Once the devices were unlocked, the organization would sell them to unsuspecting buyers.
SSU estimates that the five people arrested represent the majority of Phoenix, but they intend to continue their investigation to find any other accomplices. Phoenix is now facing charges under Article 361 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, which deals with criminal tampering with the operation of electronic computers, systems, and computer networks.
A hacker renowned for data breaches reportedly obtained gigabytes of AT&T customer data, including social security numbers, in August. The hacker, identified as "ShinyHunters," had asked for $1 million to remove the data.
AT&T disputed that the data came from their servers. The same month, T-Mobile learned of a server compromise that culminated in stolen data on over 100 million users being sold on a hacker website.
