Security News > 2022 > October > Police arrest teen for using leaked Optus data to extort victims

The Australian Federal Police have arrested a 19-year old in Sydney for allegedly using leaked Optus customer data for extortion.

More specifically, the suspect used 10,200 records leaked last month by the Optus hackers and contacted victims over SMS to threaten that their data would be sold to other hackers unless they paid AUD 2,000 within two days.

"Assistant Commissioner Cyber Command Justine Gough said the man was not suspected of being the individual responsible for the Optus breach but allegedly tried to financially benefit from the stolen data that was dumped on an online forum" - Australian Federal Police.

According to the AFP, the arrested young man allegedly sent blackmailing messages to 93 individuals whose personal information was exposed Optus data leak.

The hackers behind the Optus breach have not been identified but AFP's investigation is still underway as part of "Operation Hurricane."

Announcing the international operation was apparently enough to discourage the threat actors from continuing their extortion, even leading to them declaring that all data stolen from Optus had been deleted.

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https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/police-arrest-teen-for-using-leaked-optus-data-to-extort-victims/