14 DAY TRIAL // A number of 25 individuals, aged between 17 and 40, from Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Spain were arrested as a result of an operation coordinated by the Interpol. They’re all suspected of being members of Anonymous, a name under which a lot of hackers operate these days.
According to a media release, the operation called “Unmask” was launched by the Interpol after Anonymous hacktivists attacked websites of the Columbian Ministry of Defense and the country’s president’s office.
Other attacks that sparked the Interpol’s actions are the ones that targeted Chile’s National Library and the country’s electricity supplier.
For this operation, law enforcement representatives from Chile, Colombia, Spain and Argentina worked together, their separate efforts being centralized at Interpol’s Latin American Working Group of Experts on Information Technology (IT) Crime.
The raids that were carried out resulted in the seizure of 250 computers and mobile phones found in 40 locations, spread out in 15 different cities. Money and payment cards were also confiscated, authorities investigating the funding of illegal activities performed by the suspects.
“This operation shows that crime in the virtual world does have real consequences for those involved, and that the Internet cannot be seen as a safe haven for criminal activity, no matter where it originates or where it is targeted,” said Acting INTERPOL Executive Director of Police Services Bernd Rossbach.
Anonymous responded to Interpol’s actions by taking down the organization’s official website.
“This time we’re pretty sure it’s no coincidence. They poked the hive,” read a tweet posted by AnonymousIRC a few hours ago.
At press time the site of the law enforcement agency is working properly, but Anonymous channels are buzzing with plans about retaliation against the Interpol’s actions.
“Hackers unite! Focus on any and every organization or agency locking up Anons or hackers around the world,” Sabu wrote.