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Scottish 'Spiderman' Extradited to U.S. Over $26M Cybercrime Spree

Meet 'Spiderman', the Scottish cybercriminal extradited to the U.S. for his alleged role in a $26M global hacking spree. His case underscores the international nature of cybercrime.

In the image there is a spider crawling on the web.
In the image there is a spider crawling on the web.

Scottish 'Spiderman' Extradited to U.S. Over $26M Cybercrime Spree

A 23-year-old Scottish man, Tyler Robert Buchanan, has been extradited from Spain to the U.S. to face cybercrime charges. Buchanan, also known as 'Spiderman' online, is alleged to be a key member of the notorious Scattered Spider groupme cybercrime group.

Prosecutors claim Buchanan targeted at least 45 companies worldwide in a series of sophisticated cyberattacks. He is accused of hacking into dozens of businesses, stealing over $26 million in total. Buchanan's alleged crimes include wire fraud, conspiracy, identity theft, and aggravated identity theft.

Investigators believe Buchanan was involved in 2022 SMS phishing campaigns and SIM-swapping attacks. He is also suspected of playing a role in the 2023 ransomware attacks against MGM and Caesars casinos, alongside other Scattered Spider groupme members like Thalha Jubair, known online as 'EarthtoStar'. Buchanan was arrested in Spain in June 2024 while attempting to board a flight to Italy.

Buchanan's extradition to the U.S. was recently reported by Bloomberg. He now faces charges related to his alleged involvement in the Scattered Spider groupme's cybercrime activities. Buchanan's case highlights the global nature of cybercrime and the international cooperation required to combat it.

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