Hacker Behind Cyberattacks on Uber, Revolut, and GTA Maker Held Indefinitely

In a recent development, an 18-year-old member of the Lapsus$ hacking group, Arion Kurtaj, has been indefinitely detained in a hospital for his involvement in hacking activities against major entities, including Uber, fintech firm Revolut, and the video game company Rockstar Games, makers of “Grand Theft Auto.”

Kurtaj conducted a solo cybercrime spree in September 2022 while on police bail for prior offenses. He targeted Revolut, accessing information from around 5,000 Revolut customers, and subsequently attacked Uber, causing nearly $3 million in damages, as per prosecutors.

Additionally, Kurtaj hacked Rockstar Games, threatening to release the source code for the company’s planned “Grand Theft Auto” sequel. Jurors at London’s Southwark Crown Court were presented with clips of the unreleased game, which Kurtaj had hacked and uploaded to an online gaming forum.

Due to Kurtaj being assessed by psychiatrists as unfit to stand trial, the jury determined whether he committed the acts rather than delivering a guilty verdict. His prior hacking and blackmailing activities against BT Group, EE, and chipmaker Nvidia were also noted.

Kurtaj, diagnosed with autism, and a 17-year-old accomplice, identified as a key player in Lapsus$, faced various charges under the Computer Misuse Act, fraud, and blackmail. The court found Kurtaj guilty of 12 offenses, leading to his indefinite detention, while the 17-year-old received a youth rehabilitation order with 18 months of supervision.

Detective Chief Superintendent Amanda Horsburgh from City of London Police highlighted the case as an example of the risks young individuals may face online, emphasizing the dangers associated with cybercriminal activities.

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