Ukraine police seize cash, cars, computers in raids on hackers that targeted U.S.

June 16 (UPI) — Authorities in Ukraine said Wednesday they have arrested several members of a notorious hacking group that’s targeted a number of U.S. institutions with ransomware attacks.

Cyber police announced that they arrested six members of the C10p hacking group and searched a number of homes belonging to members.

During the raids, police seized computers, vehicles and almost $200,000 in cash, officials said.

In the past, C10p has targeted several U.S. universities in California, Florida, Maryland and Colorado, hijacking computer data and holding it for ransom.

A video posted online by Ukrainian police shows some of the raids and includes officers seizing property, including luxury cars and computers.

Authorities said the group is also responsible for at least four corporate cyberattacks in South Korea.

Many of the attacks occurred between 2019 and this year.

Wednesday’s is the first announcement by a major law enforcement agency involving mass arrests of a major hacker group that’s targeted U.S. institutions.

The frequency of ransomware attacks worldwide has increased in recent years and most Western governments now consider them to be a chief national security concern.

A hack involving the U.S. Colonial gasoline pipeline last month disrupted deliveries to the East Coast and temporarily caused gas prices to increase. The Colonial Pipeline is the United States’ largest.