For several months, two Greek computer science students aged 31 and 27 were working ceaselessly to develop the malicious software under the international codename “Lecpetex”, which they subsequently started distributing via a social networking website to steal bitcoins – a digital currency – from over 250,000 computers around the world!

Due to the originality of the hacker’s methods and the impact of their actions on the global web computing system, the Electronic Crime Unit considers this the most important case they have handled so far! With the arrest of the two young men in the Attica region a major threat to the security of the computers worldwide has been averted, a threat which could cause big problems to millions of internet users.

After many months of investigation, the specially trained police officers discovered that the malware was distributed via a private message sent to the users of a social networking page, where the hackers attached malicious software. Once the users opened the file, the malware infected their computer and all their contacts, thus increasing exponentially the number of infected computers worldwide.

The perpetrators were also distributing malicious software through the use of special Peer 2 Peer programs, by attaching the malware to free “cracked” versions of popular games, songs and films.

Their goal was to steal Bitcoins by transporting them to electronic wallets under their control. The bitcoins were forwarded to specialized mixing services, via a specific network (TOR) to which Internet users gain access only by using specialized software. Then they would turn bitcoins into euros , using the services of dedicated electronic exchangers which are available on the internet, and collect their illegal proceeds.

At the same time, they were stealing passwords for emails and accounts (e-banking, Paypal etc.), adding them to a database. They even managed to steal the email passwords of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs! The perpetrators had intended to start their own service to launder their illegal proceeds.

The two arrestees were taken to First Instance Court Prosecutor of Athens.