Police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) have announced the arrest of a notorious Singaporean hacker, known by the pseudonym “Desorden GhostR”, who is reported to have hacked into the databases of more than 70 major companies in Thailand and overseas to steal their information and offer it for sale on the dark web.
The suspect was identified by the CCIB as a “Mr. Chia”, a 39-year-old Singaporean. The CCIB claim that he is “Desorden GhostR”, who is wanted by police in several countries.
Armed with an arrest warrant, issued by the Criminal Court, a team of CCIB officers raided a house in the Gusto Grand housing estate on Ramkhamhaeng 159 Road, in the Saphan Soong district of Bangkok, where the suspect was residing.
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Police found many gold ornaments and luxury brand name products in the house, worth an estimated 10 million baht.
The CCIB launched an investigation after it received a complaint from a Thai company, claiming that it had received an extortion note, via the “X” platform, from “Omid16BGroup” demanding payment of an undisclosed amount. If not paid, the sender threatened to release confidential customer information to the public.
According to Pol Col Panuphat Kittiphan of the CCIB, they sought help from their Singaporean counterparts and were told that the hacker’s pattern of criminal activity was similar to that of “Desorden GhostR”, who had stolen information from many companies in several countries and offered it for sale on the dark web.
Panuphat claimed that the suspect admitted to stealing information from over 50 companies in various countries and about 20 firms in Thailand, including the Black Canyon coffee chain.
The suspect also claimed that he acted alone, adding that he would not hack into the databases of state organisations, out of concern that the public would be affected.
The suspect was charged with extortion and theft of information.
