Two Belarusians charged over attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Two Belarusians detained over attacks on online platforms, including cryptocurrency exchanges.

The Belarusian interior ministry has detained residents of Bobruisk and Minsk on suspicion of attacks on online platforms, including cryptocurrency exchanges.

According to the MIA, the criminal scheme was organized by a 30-year-old resident of Bobruisk. Beginning in January 2018, he bought malware on hacker forums and attacked sites whose interfaces include a login function for user accounts.

The suspect used rented apartments to house the devices through which he remotely organized the attacks. The malware harvested usernames and passwords from user accounts with remaining balances or linked bank cards, and then blocked access to the accounts.

The obtained data was sold on the dark web. He later enlisted a 31-year-old Minsk resident to the criminal operation. Through the attacks they earned around $500 000.

Among the victims were users of Walmart, eBay, Minecraft, Sony Entertainment Network, Fortnite, as well as cryptocurrency exchanges.

During the arrests, authorities seized equipment and bank cards, as well as $200 000 in funds, which will be handed over to the state.

Earlier, the Ministry detained hackers, who stole more than $800 000 and transferred the funds into cryptocurrency.

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