The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the arrest of five members of the international hacker group Phoenix, which specializes in remote hacking of mobile devices and collection of personal data.
Law enforcement officers report that the group included five citizens of Ukraine (residents of Kyiv and Kharkiv), and all of them had a higher technical education. The group’s activity lasted at least two years, and during this time the hackers managed to break into the accounts of several hundred people.
The goal of the Phoenix hack group was to gain remote access to user accounts of mobile devices, and then monetize this access by hacking e-wallets and bank accounts, as well as by selling victims’ personal information to third parties.
To gain access to other people’s accounts, hackers used phishing resources – copies of Apple, Samsung, and so on. If the victim downloaded an application from such a fake site, they had to provide the attackers with their credentials. Then the attackers copied the information stored on the broken phone.
Also, hackers offered their services of remote hacking of mobile phones at prices ranging from $100 to $200. In addition, the group was also involved in unlocking stolen or lost Apple devices. Subsequently, such gadgets were sold in a network of stores controlled by criminals in Kyiv and Kharkiv.
As a result, law enforcement officers conducted five searches at each place of detention, seizing computer equipment, mobile phones that were being prepared for sale, specialized software and equipment.
The attackers were charged under Article 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal interference in the operation of electronic computers (computers), systems and computer networks).
Let me remind you that we reported that the Cyber police of Ukraine arrested persons linked with the Clop ransomware and that the Ukrainian cyber police arrested the author of uPanel phishing kit.
