South Korea extradites hacker behind $1.18 million theft

South Korea has extradited a Lithuanian national hacker, 29 years old, accused of stealing over 1.7 billion won ( approximately 1.8 million USD ) in digital assets from users in South Korea and other countries. According to the Korean National Police Agency, the suspect operated from April 2020 to January 2023, distributing malicious software KMSAuto disguised as a Windows activation tool.

This malware uses memory attack techniques to automatically replace the victim’s cryptocurrency wallet address with the hacker’s wallet during transactions. Over 3,100 wallets worldwide were infected, with 840 transactions stolen. In South Korea alone, 8 victims suffered losses of about 16 million won.

After an investigation lasting more than 5 years and cooperation with Lithuania, Interpol, and Georgia, the suspect was arrested and extradited to South Korea for trial. The police affirmed that they will continue to crack down hard on cross-border cybercrime.