OTTAWA, Ontario, June 02, 2014 – Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, commended the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) and their international partners including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for their efforts in disrupting a major international criminal computer botnet. This botnet was used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive information and defraud millions of dollars from businesses and consumers through the use of malicious software known as GameOver Zeus and Cryptolocker.
Members of the RCMP’s “C” Division Integrated Technological Crime Units (ITCU), supported by experts at CCIRC, successfully assisted the FBI and international law enforcement partners for 9 months in surveying and disrupting the criminal network. These efforts culminated in a large-scale, coordinated takedown in 11 countries last week.
“I commend the RCMP, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, the FBI and all partner organizations involved in this important operation, for their tireless efforts in disrupting this cybercrime network.
Cybercrimes present a very real and serious risk to the safety of our citizens and businesses. This operation demonstrates our unwavering determination to stop the perpetrators of cybercrimes and bring them to justice, to face the full consequences of their actions. We fully support our police forces and international partners who work diligently to keep our communities safe.”
For more information on this operation, please visit the RCMP website: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/nouv-news/com-rel/2014/06/140602-2-eng.htm
For additional information on how to stay safe online please visit: www.getcybersafe.gc.ca.
Canadians can also report instances of fraud by contacting their local police office, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca (1-888-495-8501).
Organizations seeking technical information and mitigation advice provided by CCIRC can visit: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/cybr-ctr/index-eng.aspx
Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) and Get Cyber Safe (@GetCyberSafe) on Twitter.
For further information:
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
