Four arrested over cyber attacks on M&S, Co-op, Harrods

(Sharecast News) - British police have arrested four people for their suspected involvement in cyber-attacks against Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the individuals were arrested at three separate locations across the country early on Thursday morning on suspicion of blackmail, money laundering, offences linked to the Computer Misuse Act and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.

Those arrested were a 17-year-old British man from the West Midlands, 19-year-old Latvian man from the West Midlands, 19-year-old British man from London and 20-year-old British woman from Staffordshire. All remain in custody.

It comes after investigations by NCA into attacks against the three retailers, where hackers sought ransom payments after breaking into their IT systems.

"Since these attacks took place, specialist NCA cybercrime investigators have been working at pace and the investigation remains one of the agency's highest priorities," said Paul Foster, head of the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit.

"Today's arrests are a significant step in that investigation but our work continues, alongside partners in the UK and overseas, to ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice."

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com