The Trickbot hacker group has used malware to hijack internet devices to carry out cyberattacks, stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from victims in the U.S. In October, U.S. authorities warned of “increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers” from Trickbot and other cybergangs.
Four things to know:
- Ms. Witte used the identity “Max” until she was detained in Miami, according to court documents. Ms. Witte has been transferred to Cleveland, where she is one of seven alleged members of the cybergang facing charges, all with roots in Eastern Europe.
- Ms. Witte is the first alleged member of Trickbot to be detained in the U.S. If she chooses to cooperate with authorities, her insights could be valuable in federal efforts to take down cybergangs, Bloomberg reported.
- Most hackers are young men, and fellow hackers would address Ms. Witte like they would their mothers, said Alex Holden, founder of cyber investigations firm Hold Security.
- Ms. Witte was living in South America when she came with her family to Miami. Upon arrival, she was arrested.
