Bangkok Arrest: Hacker GhostR Took Millions, Targeted 50 Firms
Thai authorities, in collaboration with Singaporean police, arrested a 39-year-old Singaporean man, identified only as Chingwei, in Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng district on Wednesday. He is believed responsible for a series of high-profile international data breaches. The arrest concluded a complex international investigation and resulted in the seizure of luxury goods, including a high-end vehicle, designer bags, and sophisticated hacking equipment, valued at over 10 million baht (approximately US$288,000).
The investigation began after a Thai company reported an extortion threat from an X (formerly Twitter) account using the moniker «0mid16B Group.» Pol Maj Gen Atip Phongsiwaphai, chief of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, stated that the account demanded payment to withhold stolen customer data, threatening public release if the demand was not met.
Thai investigators, collaborating with their Singaporean counterparts, linked the X account to a notorious hacker known as «Desorden GhostR,» who had been under investigation by international law enforcement since 2020 for numerous data breaches.
Chingwei allegedly compromised the database systems of 20 companies in Thailand alone, including the Black Canyon restaurant chain in 2024. He confessed to breaching over 50 companies internationally. His modus operandi involved selling stolen data on clandestine dark web marketplaces, using cryptocurrencies for transactions, with a minimum price of $10,000 per data tranche. The anonymity of the dark web presents significant challenges for law enforcement in tracing buyers and sellers.
Interestingly, Chingwei claims to have acted alone, specifically targeting large corporations while avoiding government entities. His motivations remain under investigation. The arrest provides crucial insight into his methods, network, and the ultimate destination of the stolen data.
The case underscores the escalating threat of sophisticated cybercriminal techniques and highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures and strengthened international cooperation to combat cybercrime. The investigation continues to unravel the full extent of Chingwei’s alleged activities.
