How many organizations did the alleged AI-assisted cybercrime ring target, and how many suffered losses?

The group allegedly targeted more than 90 entities, using AI tools to hack 60 of them. Thirty-eight entities suffered losses, and the group attempted to extort some targets.

How much money did the alleged cybercrime ring demand from its victims?

The group demanded a combined 360 million won from the 38 entities that suffered losses.

What happened to the seven suspects in the South Korean cybercrime investigation?

The alleged 32-year-old ringleader was referred to the prosecution on Friday while under physical detention. The other six suspects were facing further questioning.

Cybercrime ring busted over AI-powered data theft targeting hospitals, businesses

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Summary

Seven suspects allegedly stole 8.2 million pieces of personal information and internal records from more than 90 entities, including hospitals, private academies and businesses, in South Korea until recently from September last year. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said the group used AI tools to hack 60 targets and tried to extort some of them. The 32-year-old alleged ringleader was referred to prosecutors on Friday while in detention, and the other suspects are being questioned.

Key Facts

The group demanded a combined 360 million won from 38 entities that suffered losses.
Police said the alleged ringleader was a self-taught hacker who learned hacking skills while working at a security company and conducting mock hacking attacks.
Authorities have also been on alert over suspected AI-assisted cybercrime, including a series of high-profile attacks targeting local financial institutions.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 26, 2026 3:03 pm KST

A suspect, right, accused of hacking into businesses and stealing personal information by using artificial intelligence, is put under arrest in this photo released Monday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

Police have busted a cybercrime ring that allegedly stole over 8 million pieces of personal information from dozens of businesses by using artificial intelligence (AI), officials said Monday.

Seven suspects allegedly stole 8.2 million pieces of personal data and other internal records from over 90 entities, including hospitals, private academies and businesses, until recently from September last year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

The group is suspected of using AI tools to hack 60 of the targets and attempting to extort some of them.

Of the targeted entities, 38 suffered losses, with the group demanding a combined 360 million won ($272,000) from them.

Police said the group's 32-year-old ring leader was referred to the prosecution on Friday while he was under physical detention. The other suspects are facing further questioning.

The ringleader, a self-taught hacker, learned about hacking skills by working at a security company, where the suspect was in charge of mock hacking attacks.

Authorities have recently been on alert over cybercrime suspected of employing AI tools, including a series of high-profile attacks targeting local financial institutions.

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