Calgary police, RCMP aid in international investigation into high-profile ransomware families, 5 arrested
Calgary police are releasing details of an intricate international ransomware investigation that saw five people arrested.
The investigation, dubbed Operation GoldDust, was led by Euopean investigators but supported by officers across the world including the Calgary Police Service (CPS), RCMP National Cybercrime Coordination Unit (NC3) and RCMP Technical Operations.
Over the course of the investigation, officers worked to determine who was believed to be responsible for 7,000 ransomware infections across the world, including 600 in Canada.
On Monday, Europol announced that five people had been arrested.
"Ransomware attacks continue to be one of the largest cyber-security threats to individuals and businesses around the globe," CPS said in a news release.
"Because of the nature of these cybercrimes, investigations into these attacks are often complex and involve offenders, digital evidence and computer infrastructure that are located in multiple jurisdictions."
The investigation, launched in January 2020, targeted the REvil ransomware family, also known as Sodinokibi.
"REvil/Sodinokibi is alleged to have been a ransomware-as-a-service (Raas) operation, which provided malware to affiliates in exchange for payment," CPS said.
"The affiliates would then carry out targeted and indiscriminate attacks to encrypt or steal a victim’s data and extort them for money in exchange for returning the data."
As a result of the Canadian investigation, CPS and the NC3 identified computer infrastructure and ransomware suspects in several European and Asian countries, as well as infrastructure in Canada.
"Policing efforts in the cyber realm are facing unprecedented challenges. However, as cyber criminals evolve, so do law enforcement and partners," CPS said.
Chris Lynam, director general of the NC3 and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, said no organization can fight cybercrime alone.
"There is no shame in falling victim. Police are here to help and your reports can assist in taking down criminals, their networks and their assets.
Insp. Phil Hoetger of CPS Technical Investigations Section said though the arrests happened thousands of kilometers away, the crimes have very real impact on citizens in Calgary, and across Canada.
"This operation demonstrates the necessity for law enforcement to work together, share information and pool resources in today’s digital era," Hoetger said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pro-Palestinian protesters demand endowment transparency. But it's proving not to be simple
Over the last decade, students have pushed universities to cut financial ties with fossil fuel producers, weapons manufacturers, tobacco companies and prison firms. Here's why it's not always that simple.