Eight Arrested in British Cyber Bank Robbery

One of the suspects described as the “Mr. Big” of Biritsh cybercrime

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Dylan Martinez / Reuters

Barclays chief executive Bob Diamond

Eight men suspected of breaking into Barclays computer network and stealing $2 million from the bank have been arrested by authorities in the UK, the Associated Press reports.

The men, ages 24 to 47, stand accused of installing on a Barclay’s computer a “keyboard video mouse” device, a piece of hardware that allows a user to control multiple computers from a single location.

“That would allow them to log the keystrokes and the actual screen, so you could gather passwords and see how people log into their systems,” a computer security analyst told the AP. “Then you could remotely access the computers as if you were sitting in front of it. Effectively, it’s like breaking into the bank in the middle of the night.”

According to the AP, police have found cash, jewels, and thousands of credit cards in searches throughout the London area. The group reportedly operated out of a control room in central London.

Barclay’s reportedly said it’s fraud monitors kicked on immediately, allowing the bank to quickly recover funds stolen in the breach.

A British detective told the AP that one of the arrestees was the “Mr. Big” of British cybercrime.

[The Associated Press]