RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST CREATORS OF MAMONT MALWARE TARGETING BANK CARDS

MOSCOW, March 27 (Bernama-TASS) -- Russian Interior Ministry officers have detained three hackers who created the Mamont malware that allows theft from bank cards using SMS banking services, Russian News Agency (TASS) reported.

Russian Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Irina Volk said the efforts on creation and distribution of malicious software were thwarted by specialists from the ministry, working together with employees of specialised departments from the Saratov, Tula, and Ulyanovsk Regions.

"It was preliminarily established that the attackers created malicious software dubbed 'Mamont.' 

“It was distributed through Telegram channels under the guise of safe mobile applications and video files. After infecting the device, the accomplices were able to steal money from the victims' bank cards using SMS banking services," she wrote on her Telegram channel.

The funds were credited to controlled subscriber numbers of mobile operators and electronic wallets.

According to operational data, the group members are involved in committing more than 300 cybercrimes.

-- BERNAMA-TASS