Thai Police Arrest Singaporean Suspected of Global Cyber Attacks

BANGKOK, 28 February 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Thai authorities have apprehended a Singaporean man suspected of conducting cyber attacks on over 70 organisations across a dozen countries worldwide.

The 39-year-old suspect was arrested in Bangkok on Wednesday as part of a coordinated operation with Singaporean law enforcement, Thai police announced on Thursday.

The individual, identified as Chia, is accused of hacking into numerous companies, stealing sensitive data, and selling it on the dark web, according to officials.

His capture followed an extortion complaint from a Thai company that reported receiving threats via the X account “@0mid16b,” demanding payment in exchange for withholding stolen customer data.

Atip Pongsivapai, commander of Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division, stated that authorities began tracking the hacker’s activities after receiving the complaint.

Chia has admitted to infiltrating company databases and selling the stolen data, Thai police confirmed.

Since 2020, he has breached more than 70 organisations, including 20 companies based in Thailand, according to police reports.

During the raid, authorities seized gold ornaments, luxury goods, and brand-name products valued at approximately $300,000.

Chia has been charged with extortion, unauthorised access to computer systems, and illegal residency in Thailand, officials reported.

Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Group-IB, which assisted in the investigation, stated that Chia operated under multiple aliases, including Altdos, Desorden, GhostR, and 0mid16B. He has been linked to 13 terabytes of stolen data, targeting sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, and government institutions.

Global Cybercrime and Its Growing Threat

This case highlights the increasing threat posed by cybercriminals who exploit security vulnerabilities to steal and monetise sensitive data. Law enforcement agencies worldwide are intensifying efforts to combat cybercrime, as incidents of data breaches and ransomware attacks continue to rise. International collaboration remains crucial in bringing perpetrators to justice and strengthening cybersecurity measures across industries.