Two Russian cybercriminals have been arrested for nicking money from bank accounts after infecting victims' Android phones with malware, a blog post by Group-IB revealed.
Researchers at the firm wrote that the two criminals, unidentified members of a Russian cybercrime gang, launched a malware campaign in late 2013, sending potential victims emails from “RomanticVK” or “VK_Gift,” promising a romantic gift if they clicked a malicious link embedded in the message. When users clicked on the link, a virus was downloaded to their Android devices and the bank account linked to the mobile phone account was charged.
Group-IB and the security group at Russia's Sberbank worked together, along with mobile providers, to block the messages. The firm also worked with Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, which led to the arrest of the two young men, ages 24 and 25.
