A 45-year-old man, wanted internationally for serious cybercrimes, was detained in the Republic of Moldova following a joint operation conducted by Moldovan officers and the authorities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, IPN reports.
The arrest was made following an international cooperation operation carried out by the Center for Combating Cybercrime and the Criminal Investigation Division of the National Investigation Inspectorate, PCCOCS prosecutors and Dutch law enforcement agencies. The operation resulted in the detention of the suspect, who was temporarily on the territory of Moldova.
The man is suspected of organizing a number of cyberattacks on companies in the Netherlands, including a “ransomware” attack on the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, which resulted in an estimated damage of €4.5 million. In addition to cyber-attacks, he is also suspected of blackmail and money laundering.
On May 6, the Moldovan authorities carried out searches at his home and in his car and seized relevant evidence, including €84,800 in cash, an electronic wallet, electronic devices and bank cards.
The man is under arrest and prosecutors are to initiate legal extradition procedures.