Poland Arrests Ukrainians With ‘Advanced’ Hacking Gear
▼ Summary
– Polish police arrested three Ukrainian nationals for allegedly attempting to damage national defense IT systems using hacking equipment.
– The suspects, who claimed to be IT specialists, were found with advanced tools like a FLIPPER Zero device, spy detectors, and numerous SIM cards and hard drives.
– They face charges including fraud and computer fraud, and have been detained for three months pending trial.
– The FLIPPER Zero device they possessed is a versatile, low-cost hacking tool that can interact with various wireless signals and has been banned in several countries.
– Authorities successfully collected evidence from the encrypted storage devices but have not disclosed details of the suspects’ alleged cyber activities.
Polish authorities have detained three Ukrainian citizens on serious charges, alleging they possessed sophisticated electronic equipment capable of compromising national defense information and critical IT infrastructure. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about cybersecurity threats and the potential for foreign actors to target strategic systems. The men, identified as IT specialists aged 39 to 43, were stopped by police while reportedly traveling through Poland en route to Lithuania.
Officers conducting a search of their vehicle discovered a cache of advanced technical gear. The seized items included a Flipper Zero hacking tool, specialized antennas, multiple laptops, a spy device detector, numerous SIM cards, routers, portable hard drives, and cameras. According to the official police statement, this equipment could be used to infiltrate and disrupt telecommunications networks and other systems vital to national security.
During initial interactions, the individuals appeared visibly agitated and could not provide a legitimate reason for carrying such devices. They later claimed to be IT professionals traveling around Europe. When questioned in detail about the specific functions of the seized equipment, they pretended not to understand the more technical inquiries from investigators.
The Flipper Zero device is a particularly notable piece of hardware found in their possession. Marketed as a portable tool for penetration testing and security research, it can interact with radio frequencies, read or emulate RFID and NFC signals, and even mimic input devices like keyboards. Its low cost and broad capabilities have made it popular among both security researchers and malicious actors, leading to sales restrictions in several countries.
Also recovered was a K19 detection tool, designed to locate hidden surveillance equipment by picking up wireless signals, GPS trackers, and magnetic fields. The combination of these devices suggested a highly capable technical operation.
Although data on the confiscated storage drives was encrypted, specialists from Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime successfully extracted forensic evidence. The three men now face formal charges of fraud, computer fraud, and possession of devices and software intended for criminal activity. A court has ordered them to be held in pre-trial detention for three months as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not disclosed specific details about any cyber operations the group may have conducted or planned within Poland. The police statement emphasized they are exploring multiple scenarios regarding the suspects’ motives and intended targets, underscoring the serious nature of the alleged offenses against state security.
(Source: Bleeping Computer)