For millions of gamers around the world, Christmas was ruined last week when hackers from a group called “Lizard Squad” crippled the online gaming networks tied to Xbox and PlayStation consoles. The attacks rendered the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live completely unusable by hammering them with Internet traffic in an attack called a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.
The hackers behind the attacks bragged about them online and even on the news, but all of that arrogance may have come at a price for at least one alleged Lizard Squad member, who has reportedly been arrested.
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According to a report from The Daily Dot, British law enforcement agents from the South East Regional Organized Crime Unit have arrested an alleged member of the Lizard Squad. 22-year-old Vinnie Omari reportedly confirmed to the website that he had been arrested, and he furnished a photo of the search warrant police reportedly used to raid his home.
The photo of the warrant can be seen below.
“They took everything,” Omari said of the raid by authorities. “Xbox one, phones, laptops, computer USBs, etc.”
The Daily Dot also noted that a press release issued by the Thames Valley Police confirms that a 22-year-old man was arrested earlier this week “on suspicion of fraud by false representation and Computer Misuse Act offense.”
The full press release follows below.
Released on behalf of SEROCU – Man arrested in connection with fraud and Computer Misuse Act offences
Wednesday 31 December 2014, 6:22pm
The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) has arrested a 22-year-old man from Twickenham on suspicion of fraud by false representation and Computer Misuse Act offences.
The arrest yesterday (30/12) is in connection with an ongoing investigation in to cyber fraud offences which took place between 2013 and August 2014 during which victims reported funds being stolen from their PayPal accounts.
The arrested man was released on bail until 10 March.
