16 individuals involved in cryptojacking have been arrested by Japanese prosecutors from 10 prefectures.
To mine cryptocurrency using others’ computers is known as cryptojacking which is considered as a cyber crime.
They were allegedly involved in installing malware on various users’ computers so that they could mine cryptocurrency without their consent. CPU power is enough to mine Monero (XMR) coin and so the hackers are actively engaged in installing crypto mining malware on victims’ computers so that they could easily mine cryptocurrency. In order to spread those malware they generally use websites. When users open the websites, the malware starts installing on their computer automatically. The arrested 16 individuals used the same technique to spread crypto mining malware as well as the Coinhive program that helps in mining Monero coin.
The arrested people earned 120,000 yen ($1,084) in total through cryptojacking. But 30 percent of mined crypto was transferred to Coinhive and the rest 70 percent went to the suspects.
Coinhive, started in 2017, is able to mine crypto coin on websites using others’ computers. They spread malware using different ways such as youtube, and websites.
At the starting of this week, three suspects were interrogated by Japanese police because of their involvement in installing crypto malware on others’ computers. A penalty of 100,000 yen has already been imposed on one of the suspects by the Yokohama Summary Court.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/japan-16-arrested-in-monero-cryptojacking-case-local-media-report