FBI steps up global cybercrime crackdown targeting North Korea, Iran and Russia
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 4
FBI steps up global cybercrime crackdown targeting North Korea, Iran and Russia
7 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 4
Assistant Cyber Division Director Brett Leatherman said AI-enabled attacks rose nearly 90% last year, as the bureau expands joint operations, embassy-based cyber staff and enforcement actions.
Recent moves include disrupting a Russian GRU router-hacking campaign, tracking North Korean fake IT workers and crypto theft, and countering Iranian destructive attacks and Handala-linked websites.
The Justice Department has launched a Scam Center Strike Force for Southeast Asia compounds, while separate reports flagged ongoing phishing attacks on more than 80 companies and urgent patching demands.
Is America's critical infrastructure ready for a full-scale digital assault from sophisticated state-sponsored hackers?
With AI finding security flaws in hours, can human-led defenses win this escalating technological arms race?
As private firms control vital cyber terrain, who truly holds power in this new era of digital warfare?
FBI-Led Operations Seize $1.5 Billion in Cryptocurrency and Dismantle Global Cybercrime Networks (2025–2026)
Overview
From late 2025 to early 2026, global law enforcement led major operations dismantling key cybercrime infrastructure, including malware like Rhadamanthys and VenomRAT, and the SocksEscort proxy service that compromised over 369,000 devices worldwide. These efforts resulted in arrests, domain seizures, and freezing millions in cryptocurrency. State-sponsored groups, especially North Korea's Lazarus Group, used AI-enhanced tactics to steal $1.5 billion in virtual assets, boosting their funding. Iranian and Russian actors escalated destructive attacks and espionage targeting critical infrastructure and government systems. Despite these successes, cybercriminals rapidly adapt with new ransomware variants and AI tools, challenging enforcement. The evolving threat landscape demands stronger international collaboration, advanced defenses, and integration of geopolitical risk into cybersecurity strategies.