Dutch police have arrested an alleged leader of the ShinyHunters hacking group on suspicion of planning two murders, authorities said Tuesday, in a case that ties one of the world's most prolific cybercrime crews to an alleged plot to kill.
The suspect, an unnamed 24-year-old man from Amsterdam, was taken into custody on September 15 under Dutch law, police said in a statement. He appeared in court Tuesday and has been remanded for at least 90 days.
Dutch police said the man was arrested for participating in a criminal organization and for preparing the murders of two people. They did not name the alleged targets or describe a possible motive.
FBI cyber division chief Brett Leathermann said in a video message Tuesday that Dutch authorities had arrested one of the "alleged leaders of ShinyHunters." He said the Dutch High Tech Crime Unit "moved quickly to protect victims and preserve critical evidence."
Leathermann vowed the bureau would pursue the rest of the group following the arrest. The FBI and Dutch law enforcement say ShinyHunters is responsible for hacks on more than 140 organizations worldwide.
The group has claimed credit for a string of high-profile breaches in recent years, including attacks on major retailers and other companies that exposed customer records. Earlier this month, the hackers also claimed responsibility for a breach of the FBI's own systems.
The arrest marks a rare instance in which cybercrime suspects face charges that extend beyond computer intrusions. Dutch authorities have not said whether the alleged murder plot is connected to the group's hacking activity or to any victim of its breaches.
ShinyHunters operates as a loose collective, selling stolen data and access to breached networks on underground forums. Its members have historically been difficult to identify, and arrests of alleged leaders have been uncommon.
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service is handling the case. Police said the investigation is ongoing and declined to release further details, citing the active probe.
Leathermann said the FBI is working with international partners to identify other members of the group. He did not say how many suspects remain at large or where they are believed to be located.
The suspect's next court appearance has not been scheduled. Under Dutch law, he can be held for up to 90 days while investigators build their case before any formal charges are filed.
