Latest / Health and life sciences
South Korean police bust ring accused of using AI to steal 8.2 million pieces of data
See how this story connectsSeoul Metropolitan Police Agency said 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, from September 2025 until recently. The group is suspected of using AI tools to hack 60 of the targets and of trying to extort some of them. Of the targeted entities, 38 suffered losses, and the group demanded a combined 360 million won (US$272,000) from them. The 32-year-old ringleader, a self-taught hacker who learned his skills at a security company running mock hacking attacks, was referred to prosecutors on Friday 23 October while in detention. The other suspects face further questioning.
Why it matters
Hospitals, private academies and businesses were among the 90-plus entities targeted, and 38 suffered losses. Authorities have been on alert over cybercrime suspected of using AI tools, including attacks on South Korean financial institutions.
- When
- 26 Oct 2026
- ID
WTA-N-2026-0426- Where
- South Korea
- Who
- Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency
- Topics
- Cybersecurity, AI incidents, Privacy
Summary by wheresthe.ai, from Yonhap News Agency. Checked against the source on 26 Oct 2026.
Source copy: download the page as saved on 26 Oct 2026 (PDF). Also held by the Internet Archive.
Cite this story
WTA-N-2026-0426: “South Korean police bust ring accused of using AI to steal 8.2 million pieces of data.” wheresthe.ai, 26 Oct 2026. https://wheresthe.ai/d/kr-south-korean-police-bust-ring-accused-of-using-ai-to-stea-2026-10/ (source: Yonhap News Agency).
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