The agency says its online activity has evolved to include complex money laundering and exploitation.
The FBI’s Internet Criminal Complaint Center issued a warning this week about an online group called The Community, or The Com, calling it a “a growing and evolving online threat group” that requires heightened attention. The group, which focuses mainly on cryptocurrency theft, consists primarily of English-speaking international residents who are between 11 and 25 years of age.
“The sophistication of The Com criminal activity has grown over the last four years, with subjects employing increasingly complex methods to mask their identities, hide financial transactions, and launder money,” the FBI stated. “An underlying theme within the entirety of The Com is its members’ interest in and proficiency with cyber related tactics, techniques, and procedures.”
According to the FBI, the Community has become capable of stealing cryptocurrency to continue funding its cyber-attack operations, which include swatting, phishing, ransomware, malware, and selling personal and governmental email accounts. A branch of its group, known as “In Real Life Com,“ has expanded to exploiting underage girls and physically fighting rival cyber groups in person.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Director Patel and FBI officials as they seek to counter cybercrime and hackers’ attacks.
- For wisdom for U.S. federal law enforcement as they work to protect the public from international online criminals.
Sources: AL.com, Government Technology, Audacy
