UK Police, FBI Arrest 17-Year-Old Suspect in MGM Cyberattack

The United Kingdom police announced that they have arrested a 17-year-old who is suspected of being responsible for a cyberattack on MGM Resorts that cost the company over $100 million. The police apprehended the suspect through a joint operation coordinated with the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and the United States’ FBI.

"These cyber groups have targeted well known organizations with ransomware, and they have successfully targeted multiple victims around the world taking from them significant amounts of money,” said Detective Inspector Hinesh Mehta, Cyber Crime Unit Manager at the Regional Organized Crime Unit for the West Midlands. "We want to send out a clear message that we will find you. It’s simply not worth it.”

According to an NBC News report from last year, a strain of software called Alphv breached MGM’s networks to the point where the company was forced to shut down vital parts of its computer systems.

“We’re proud to have assisted law enforcement in locating and arresting one of the alleged criminals responsible for the cyberattack against MGM Resorts and many others,” MGM Resorts said in a statement. “We know first-hand the damage these criminals can do and the importance of working with law enforcement to fight back. By voluntarily shutting down our systems, refusing to pay a ransom and working with law enforcement on their investigation and response, the message to criminals was clear: it’s not worth it.”