Taiwan traces Chinese hackers selling stolen data to trafficking ring

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) Taiwan's Investigation Bureau said Thursday it had traced a Chinese hacker group called "CrazyHunter," which allegedly sold stolen personal data to trafficking rings in both Taiwan and China.

Between February and March, members of CrazyHunter launched ransomware attacks on Taiwan-based hospitals, listed companies and universities, demanding ransom payments, the bureau said in a news release.

Victims included MacKay Memorial Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital and Keding Enterprises Co., which reported the incidents to local authorities.

Prosecutors said CrazyHunter consisted of two Chinese men, surnamed Luo (羅) and Xu (徐), who sold stolen data to a trafficking ring that included a Chinese man surnamed Zhao (趙) and two Taiwanese nationals surnamed Liu (劉) and Cheng (鄭).

Three raids were carried out from May to August, during which Liu and Cheng were arrested. Investigators said the pair had long been buying and selling thousands of stolen records from hackers in Taiwan and abroad, and found evidence of virtual currency transactions and electronic records linked to CrazyHunter.

Liu and Cheng are being investigated for computer misuse, extortion and violations of the Personal Data Protection Act, the bureau said. Both were released on NT$30,000 (US$938) bail and barred from leaving the country.

The role of Luo, Xu and Zhao remains under investigation, it added.

(By Hsieh Hsin-en and Ko Lin) Endtiem/kb