|
Southport men are bailed on
suspicion of cyber crime
TITAN, the North West Regional
Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), have confirmed that 2 males aged 21 years have
been arrested at separate addresses in Southport, Merseyside, on Thursday, 21
April 2016. The rades toook place at around 7.30pm. The rades were led by Titan
and supported by representatives of the international law enforcement community
including:- the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), Europol's European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and its Joint
Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT). Also an internet content and cloud
computing security company provided technical support.
We are told that this criminal investigation is focused on the
alleged supplying of software used by computer hackers, which is an offence in
the UK under the Computer Misuse Act (1990) and Police and Justice Act (2006).
We understand that both males were kept inside the properties
while specialist Titan Officers forensically examined various electronic devices
using a mobile cyber forensic lab provided by Europol. During a thorough
forensic examination of the properties and of various computer equipment found
inside the houses. We are also told that specialist investigators from Titan
have seized funds in the form of the electronic currency known as 'Bit
Coins.'
We are told that 1 of the men was arrested at a house in Moreland
Drive, Southport, Merseyside and the other man was arrested at a property in Old
Park Lane, also in Southport, Merseyside.
Detective Superintendent Jason Hudson, head of operations at Titan, said:-
"These arrests are a significant step forward in our relentless fight against
cyber crime which is a type of criminality that really does affect us all. Not
everyone will understand yet what cyber crime is or how it impacts on normal
people, but it is an increasing threat to anyone who uses the Internet and
organised crime groups often sit behind it. Cyber criminals who hack into your
computer or that of your business or your bank account or your social network
can do so from anywhere in the world. So it is vital that law enforcement
agencies in different countries work together by sharing intelligence about
potential offenders and pool resources and expertise to tackle this common goal.
That is why Titan is grateful for the assistance of the NCA here in the UK, the
FBI in the United States, Europol and specialist companies from the private
sector in supporting this investigation. It demonstrates just how well we work
together to combat a global threat. There is still much for the Police to do in
terms of raising awareness of cyber crime amongst the general public and educate
people on what basic steps they can take to protect themselves, their families
and their personal or financial information online. The most crucial ones are
ensuring you have the best and latest anti virus software on your computer and
that you always update your computer's software when it prompts you to. These
are your 1st lines of defence and can prevent you from falling victim to cyber
crime."
We are told by Merseyside Police that both males have been
interviewed and released on Police Bail, pending further enquiries.
For more information about the work of Titan visit:-
TitanROCU.Org.UK. |
