Summary
Four people were arrested for their involvement in cyber-attacks against M&S, Co-op, and Harrods. The attacks started in mid-April, disrupting operations and stealing private data from these businesses. Police are investigating further to identify all responsible parties.
Key Facts
- Four individuals arrested include a 20-year-old woman from Staffordshire and three males aged 17 to 19 from London and the West Midlands.
- They were arrested for offences under the Computer Misuse Act, blackmail, money laundering, and involvement in organized crime.
- The arrests took place at their homes early on a Thursday, and police seized electronic devices.
- The attacks involved ransomware, a type of harmful software that makes computer systems unusable until a ransom is paid.
- M&S reported significant disruptions, estimating a £300 million loss in profits and ongoing IT issues.
- The Co-op experienced empty shelves for weeks after the attack.
- Both the Co-op and Harrods had to disconnect their IT systems from the internet to prevent further damage.
- The National Crime Agency is working with UK and international partners to continue the investigation.
