A sophisticated ring of cyber criminals have now cast a wider net, targeting various companies on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean
The Google Threat Intelligence Group has confirmed that a known group of cyber criminals is now targeting retailers in the United States, after the same group had success against companies based in the United Kingdom.
Hackers Behind Casino Attacks Now Targeting UK and US Retailers
These criminals, argues the Google Threat Intelligence Group, are already responsible for attacks on US soil, including the attacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment that took place in 2023, which paralyzed operations and even got the casinos in hot water with VIP guests, including one particularly irate government official.
According to John Qultquist, who is the chief analyst at the Threat Intelligence Group, American retailers are being targeted by the same people who already stole data and disrupted the businesses of companies in the United Kingdom, including the likes of Co-Op Group and Marks & Spencer.
The attacks are similar to the ones pulled off against gaming floors, only this time, they are moving away from this and targeting retailers instead.
“Retailers are aware of the threats posted by cybercriminal groups that have recently attacked several major retailers in the United Kingdom, and many companies have taken steps to harden themselves against these criminal groups’ tactics over the past two years,” The National Retail Federation VP of retail technology and cybersecurity Christian Beckner acknowledging the threat.
The attacks are mostly carried out through impersonation via phone calls, forcing employees to give access to someone who poses as an employee. In some cases, however, attackers operate larger criminal outfits, and they threaten people and their families if they seek the police or fail to comply with their demands.
Although dystopian, criminals like these are having success with recent disruptions of tribal casinos by various other nefarious parties.
