Psychologists may have a plethora of reasons why individuals turn to cyber crime; and their results move beyond disturbing. It comes as no surprise that those involved in the theft of data have now escalated, their schemes to be even darker. These criminals have expanded to include international online groups called ‘the Com” where they stalk, extort, bully and even turn to real time physical harm of vulnerable young people. While they continue to brag about their exploits such as the ransomware attack on various Las Vegas casinos, they have combined their efforts to some of the most evil actions of hurting others.
A tactic being used by these threat actors includes “sextortion”, however it isn’t just for any sexual gratification, but instead to control and manipulate others to do their bidding. In some cases they do include sexual gratification, while in other cases it’s just for “fun.” The victims are coerced to do harm to others and themselves and then record the results. The perpetrators have convinced children to cut themselves as well as flushing their heads in toilets, killing their own pets, and some have reported attempting suicide. The victims have been instructed to be involved in in-person, real time sexual abuse of minors, swatting, kidnapping and even murder.
This dangerous overlap of cyber crime and nefarious actions is the next level. The criminals steal proprietary data of corporations such as AT&T, gain access to personal information of minors, including text messages and then turn it into a sick and twisted “game” to see which group can best the others.
The names of these groups, which have been identified by international security teams is too long to even list. In one infamous attack known as a SIM-swapping, the predators purchase or phish for employees credentials from a mobile phone company and then redirect the various targets text messages and calls to devices that are controlled by the attackers. Telegram has a list of the 100 riches SIM-swappers including various handles that the hackers use. This was especially successful during the COVID-19 pandemic where they phished or “vished” voice hacking to those employees that were working at home. The criminals ended up convincing these staffers to give up their remote work credentials.
While officials are making every attempt to catch these criminals, they are savvy at hiding themselves within their groups. Many of the group members cross into a variety of countries and work together for their attacks and cyber hacking. They are completely emboldened to attack any organisation, including foreign police departments making requests for emergency information. Another easy method for them to use is an anti-doxing group (Doxbin) promising to help remove a target’s information. Instead, the targets find themselves to be the victims of harassment, stalking, doxing and swatting.
The hackers have even hacked into home security systems such as Ring to gain camera access and then create a swatting scenario. They have gone so far as to record the police raids that they themselves caused.
“DaVinci Cybersecurity is maintaining a constant vigil as these cyber criminals move to some of the worst levels of crime and activity. Harm to others in both physical and financial, combined with attacks on minors is some of the worst of human behaviour. We are diligent at communicating the warnings and actions our clients need to have to protect themselves.” – Sharon Knowles, CEO DaVinci Cybersecurity
Source: krebsonsecurity.com/2024/09/the-dark-nexus-between-harm-groups-and-the-com/
