PHOTO: REUTERS
ShinyHunters suspect also investigated for alleged murder orders, Dutch media report
· The Straits Times- A 24-year-old man arrested in connection with the hacking group ShinyHunters is also being investigated for allegedly ordering two murders abroad, according to Dutch media.
- Information about the alleged murder plots was found on the suspect's laptop, but it is unclear if the murders occurred; this investigation is separate from the ShinyHunters case.
- The suspect, named Pepijn van der Stap by his former employer, was arrested during a police raid amid concerns over ShinyHunters' theft of sensitive US FBI personnel data.
AMSTERDAM - A 24-year-old man arrested earlier this week as part of an investigation into the hacking group ShinyHunters is also being investigated over allegations that he ordered two murders abroad, Dutch media reported on Sept 29.
Police did not immediately confirm the reports.
Information about the alleged murder plots was reportedly found on the suspect’s laptop, Dutch news agency ANP reported.
It was not clear whether the murders he allegedly ordered actually took place.
The allegations are separate from the investigation into ShinyHunters.
Although Dutch authorities have not publicly identified the man, his former employer, Amsterdam-based cybersecurity company Neo Security, said his name is Pepijn van der Stap.
Attempts by Reuters to reach Van der Stap or identify a lawyer or representative have not been successful.
He was arrested in a dramatic police raid amid escalating concern over ShinyHunters, a hacking group known for large-scale data breaches and extortion, and its recent theft of what it said was terabytes of sensitive personnel data from US FBI servers.
At least some of the data includes employees’ intelligence assignments and medical records, Reuters has reported.
ShinyHunters has said Van der Stap had “no association” with the group. REUTERS