2 Malaysian Businessmen Have Been Charged By The US DOJ For International Hacking
The two Malaysian suspects are currently being detained at Sungai Buloh Prison while five Chinese nationals have yet to be arrested.
By Lee Yong Jin — 18 Sep 2020, 03:37 PM
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted two Malaysian businessmen and five Chinese hackers for hacking more than 100 companies worldwide
The suspects have been identified as 46-year-old Wong Ong Hua and 32-year-old Ling Yang Ching.
Wong is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Perak-based game store SEA Gamer Mall while Ling is the partner and chief product officer (CPO), according to the company's corporate website.
SEA Gamer Mall stated that the company denies any wrongdoing and two employees are on temporary leave with their identities unrevealed.
Wong and Ling were arrested in Perak on Monday, 14 September
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said the suspects have been placed in Sungai Buloh Prison under a 60-day remand.
The arrests were made with the cooperation of the Federal National Central Bureau/Interpol (D12) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
The seven suspects face charges including computer fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and racketeering
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), targeted companies range from video game firms to high-tech companies.
The Malaysian duo allegedly worked with the hackers who are part of a group called 'APT 41', reported New Straits Times.
The Chinese hackers "compromised the networks of video game companies worldwide (a billion-dollar industry) and defrauded them of in-game resources", stated US Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A Rosen.
"Two of the Chinese defendants stand accused, with two Malaysian defendants, of selling those resources on the black market, through their illicit website."
