According to court documents, a remote access trojan referred to as (RAT) by Jacob Wayne John Keen, now 24, was developed when he was 15 years old and living in his mother’s rental allowing users to remotely take control of their victims’ computers.
More than 200 people purchased the software in Australia, including 14 PayPal users who had previous or active domestic violence orders against them.
An estimated 50,000 victims worldwide were victimised by the spyware after about 14,500 people purchased the malicious software in Australia (AFP, 2018).
Police aledged Keen, living in the suburbs of Brisbane allegedly created and sold a sophisticated hacking tool used by domestic violence perpetrators and child sex offenders to spy on tens of thousands of people across the globe, using the proceeds to buy takeaway food.
The spyware called “Imminent Monitor”, once installed, would be able to steal victims’ private information, spy on them through webcam and microphone, and keep track of what they typed into emails or documents.
The high proportion of respondents listed on domestic violence orders was noted by the agency. The agency also noted that one buyer was listed on the child sex offenders register.
There are 44 victims in Australia, according to the AFP. Investigators are looking into whether suspects used the device, which is believed to have affected tens of thousands of people globally.
According to the report, most of the money raised from selling the spyware was allegedly used to pay for food delivery services and other disposable and consumable items.
In July, Keen was charged with six offences, and he will appear in Brisbane’s magistrates court next month. His mother, 42, is also accused of dealing in the proceeds of crime.
The case was scheduled to appear in Brisbane’s magistrates court on Friday, but it has been postponed until next month.
Global police coordinated a sting dating back to 2017 to announce the arrest on Saturday.
The AFP and the FBI received information from cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks about a suspicious malware, dubbed Operation Cepheus, and started investigating.
Stalking and domestic violence are real-world consequences of cybercrime, in addition to computer or computer network damage.
Chris Goldsmid, commander of cybercrime operations says cybercrime is more than just a violation of computer or network systems; these offences have real-world consequences, including aiding stalking and domestic violence.”
A suspicious Remote Access Trojan was reported to Australian Federal Police through the FBI and a cybersecurity firm during Operation Cepheus in 2017.
More than a dozen law enforcement agencies in Europe participated in the global investigation.
Cybercrime is becoming more prevalent in the increasingly digital world, making cooperation with law enforcement and the private sector both domestic and international vitally important,” says Goldsmid
All devices across the globe were stopped from operating the software in 2019 when the Australian Federal Police shut down the software.
More than 85 search warrants were issued across Europe as part of an investigation into the malware, with 13 people arrested for using it for “alleged criminality” and 434 devices seized.
